ABSTRACT
Opioid receptor antagonists were originally developed for treatment of heroin dependence and to reverse symptoms of postanesthetic depression, narcotic overdose, and opioid intoxication such as respiratory depression, sedation, and hypotension. Interestingly, in recent years, they were also found to have significant antipruritic effects (1). In cholestatic pruritus, opioid receptor antagonists are already a well-established therapeutic modality (2). In other diseases like atopic dermatitis, antipruritic effects are variable and further studies will have to examine the long-term efficacy and safety of opioid antagonists. Overall, opioid receptor antagonists seem to be a novel treatment of several pruritic dermatological and internal diseases. In the following chapter, an overview of the pharmacological properties and side effects of different opioid receptor antagonists and their application in the treatment of itch will be given.
