Antipruritic action of thalidomide

The effect of thalidomide on itch was studied in 11 patients with chronic: pruritus from psoriasis, eczema, nodular prurigo, senile pruritus and primary biliary cirrhosis, Itch, assessed subjectively by the patients on a 10 cm line and measured objectively as nocturnal scratch movement, Has decreased by thalidomide 200 mg on the 2 nights it was given. There was no improvement in the underlying disorders and it is concluded that thalidomide is a primary antipruritic agent. The patients all became drowsy and it seems likely that, as with most other antipruritic agents, the antipruritic action of thalidomide results from a central depressant effect. The primary antipruritic effect of thalidomide should now be assessed therapeutically.