Pruritus (itching) is a very common and distressing skin problem. Currently available therapies are not very effective, so there is a need for new effective topical drugs against itching. Two studies used a topical formulation of 1% naltrexone (or placebo) for 2 weeks to treat patients with localized and generalized atopic dermatitis with severe itching. More than 70% of the patients using the 1% naltrexone cream experienced a significant reduction of pruritus. The cream containing naltrexone had an overall 29.4% better effect than placebo. The naltrexone formulation required a median of 46 minutes to reduce itching by 50%; the placebo, 74 minutes. The antipruritic effects of the placebo formulation emphasizes the importance of rehydration therapy for dry skin. Naltrexone, a medication known as an opiate antagonist, can modify pruritus by influencing the peripheral and central sensation of itch. Naltrexone has been found to be successful in suppressing the perception of pruritus from many diverse origins including aquagenic pruritus (an intense prickling sensation that develops in affected individuals immediately after contact with water at any temperature).

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