DOXEPIN..... ITCH HELP .

[Guest guest]

HI again,

Seeing Doxepin just mentioned for the itch, it's an excellent choice.. (I'm assuming that was an oral form you used hon) but they can make it up for topical vulvar use too...and they can mix it with a milder steroid like Triamcinolone for itch & pain relief.

Some brand names for this cream/ointment are ZONALON OR PRUDOXIN. (both are prescriptions).

PRUDOXIN Cream is indicated for the short-term (up to 8 days) management ...A thin film of PRUDOXIN Cream should be applied four times each day with at least a 3 to 4 hour interval between applications. In addition, doxepin (cream) may produce drowsiness in significant numbers of patients. Sedation may have an effect on certain pruritic symptoms which is beneficial.

I also have a study that states this.....

"Doxepin cream has been found to control the pruritus (itchiness) inflammation and pain of atopic dermatitis, eczema, and urticaria - with results ''superior'' to the use of any steroid cream or oral antihistamines." (In fact 10 X's better said one study. Dee T)

"Topical Doxepin provided as a five-percent cream has been shown to be extremely effective in controlling the itch, burning pain and inflammation caused by a number of types of dermatitis"

And this below is another abstract about it.

From the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology.

Volume 41, Issue 2, Pages 209-214

Pharmacokinetics of doxepin in subjects with pruritic atopic dermatitis

AbstractBackground: Doxepin applied topically by itself or in combination with triamcinolone acetonide is a safe and effective treatment for atopic dermatitis.

Objective: We evaluated the pharmacokinetic profile of doxepin and desmethyldoxepin after topical application of doxepin hydrochloride 5% cream alone or in combination with 0.025% triamcinolone acetonide (doxepin/TAC).

Methods: Twenty-four subjects with atopic dermatitis received either doxepin or doxepin/TAC cream 4 times daily for 7 days in a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Serum samples were obtained and pharmacokinetic parameters estimated from the dose-normalized serum concentrations of doxepin and desmethyldoxepin. Efficacy and adverse experiences were determined by physician and subject evaluations.

Results: Pharmacokinetic parameters (Ke , t1/2 and AUC) calculated in 9 subjects (doxepin/TAC = 4 subjects, DOXEPIN = 5 subjects) with detectable serum concentrations were similar for both groups. Pruritus relief and lessening of pruritus severity were significantly greater with the combination doxepin/TAC than doxepin alone.

Conclusion: Topically applied doxepin is safe and effective therapy for pruritus. (severe itching, dt)

(J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;41:209-14.)

American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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