Effect of ondansetron on pruritus in hemodialysis patients Print

Pruritus is the most distressing symptom in hemodialysis patients. Its etiology has not yet been delineated; thus، there are no good therapeutic options. Serotonin has been reported to be a mediator of uremic pruritus while ondansetron is a potent and selective inhibitor of 5-HT3 receptors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ondansetron on uremic pruritus in hemodialysis patients. In this randomized double-blind clinical trial، 70 patients undergoing hemodialysis with moderate and severe itching were enrolled. They were randomly divided into two groups: one group received ondansetron 8 mg three times daily and the other group was given loratadine 10 mg two times a day for 2 weeks. Pruritus scores were recorded by the patients and the mean scores were compared before and after intervention. Changes in VAS scores after treatment with ondansetron and loratadin were both significant (P=0. 001)، but the difference between ondansetron and loratadin was not significant (P=0. 8). The results showed that ondansetron was as effective as loratadin in controlling renal itch.