Mechanisms and treatment of opioid‐induced pruritus: Peripheral and central pathways
Hiroai Okutani,
Silvia Lo Vecchio,
Lars Arendt‐Nielsen
Abstract:Background and ObjectivePruritus (also known as itch) is defined as an unpleasant and irritating sensation of the skin that provokes an urge to scratch or rub. It is well known that opioid administration can cause pruritus, which is paradoxical as itch and pain share overlapping sensory pathways. Because opioids inhibit pain but can cause itching. Significant progress has been made to improve our understanding of the fundamental neurobiology of itch; however, much remains unknown about the mechanisms of opioid… Show more
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