Findings show a dose-dependent response in decrease in itchiness
TUESDAY, April 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Serlopitant has potential as a therapy for the treatment of chronic pruritus, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Gil Yosipovitch, M.D., from the University of Miami, and colleagues assessed the safety and efficacy of the P/neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist serlopitant in treating chronic pruritus among patients with severe chronic pruritus who were unresponsive to antihistamines or topical steroids. Patients were randomized to either serlopitant (0.25, 1, or 5 mg) or placebo. Serlopitant was administered once daily for six weeks as monotherapy or with mid-potency steroids and emollients.
The researchers found that serlopitant treatment resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in pruritus. The decreases from baseline using visual analogue scale pruritus scores were statistically significantly larger with the 1- and 5-mg doses of serlopitant (P = 0.022 and 0.013, respectively) versus placebo at week six. There were no significant safety or tolerability issues observed.
“Serlopitant, 1 mg and 5 mg daily, was associated with a statistically significant reduction in chronic pruritus and was well tolerated,” the authors write.
Several authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Menlo Therapeutics, which manufactures serlopitant and supported the study.
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