Pruritus in Chronic Liver Disease

Authors

Ranya Selim, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Joseph Ahn

Recommended Citation

Selim R, and Ahn J. Pruritus in Chronic Liver Disease. Clin Liver Dis 2023; 27(1):47-55.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2023

Publication Title

Clinics in liver disease

Abstract

Pruritus can be associated with chronic liver disease, particularly cholestatic liver disease. Although the pathophysiology is uncertain, there are a few proposed mechanisms and much is still being discovered. Workup involves an assessment to rule out a dermatologic, neurologic, psychogenic, or other underlying systemic disorder. First-line therapy is cholestyramine, which is generally well tolerated and effective. In those who fail cholestyramine, alternative drugs including rifampicin and μ-opioid receptor antagonists can be considered. If medical therapy is ineffective and pruritus is significant, alternative experimental therapies such as albumin dialysis, photopheresis, plasmapheresis, and biliary diversion can be considered.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Cholestyramine Resin; Pruritus; Liver Diseases; Cholestasis; Narcotic Antagonists

PubMed ID

36400466

Volume

27

Issue

1

First Page

47

Last Page

55