The Antipruritic Effect of Topical Doxepin Cream in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is associated with severe pruritus for which effective topical treatment is lacking. As a potent H1 and H2 antagonist, the antipruritic effect of topical doxepin has been demonstrated in eczematous dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of topical 5% doxepin cream in relieving pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis. METHODS: A total of 44 patients with atopic dermatitis, who had moderate to severe daily pruritus for at least 1 week, were enrolled in the double-blind, vehicle-controlled study. Randomly assigned 5% doxepin cream or vehicle cream was applied four times daily for 7 days trial. RESULTS: Relief of pruritus was achieved in 85% of doxepin-treated patients and 57% of vehicle-treated patients by day 7. At each study visit, the physician's global evaluation for relief of pruritus showed significant improvement in the doxepin treatment group (p < 0.01). Visual analogue scales for pruritus severity and pruritus relief showed similar improvements in the doxepin-treated group. The most common adverse effects reported included localized erythema, xerosis (doxepin group, n=5; vehicle group, n=3) and drowsiness (doxepin group, n=2; vehicle group, n=0). CONCLUSION: Topical doxepin is effective in reducing pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis. It has apparently a short-term low risk of major side effects or sensitization.

The Antipruritic Effect of 5% Doxepin Cream on Korean Patients with Eczematous Dermatitis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Eczematous dermatitis is associated with severe pruritus, but there are only a few effective treatment modalities. Preliminary studies suggest that topical application of doxepin cream is effective in the treatment of eczematous dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical 5% doxepin cream in reducing ruritus associated with eczematous dermatitis in Korea. METHODS: A total of 62 patients with eczematous dermatitis, who daily experienced severe pruritus for at least 1 week, were enrolled in the study. Five percent doxepin cream was applied twice a day on the baseline visit, and four times daily for up to 7 days. We evaluated pruritus scores using visual analog scales, which consisted of a 100-mm horizontal line labeled "no itch" and "worst itch imaginable" at opposite ends. RESULTS: Pruritus scores evaluated by patients revealed significantly-better improvement on each visit day. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in the pruritus scores and erythema evaluated by physicians on each visit day. Furthermore, the most common adverse effects were a stinging sensation and aggravation of erythema at the site of application. CONCLUSION: Five percent doxepin cream is safe and effective in reducing pruritus in patients with eczematous dermatitis.

Experiment of Percutaneous Absorption of Doxepin Cream in Human Body / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To compare the percutaneous absorbency between imported and domestic5%doxepin cream.METHODS:In a cross design,8health male volunteers were enrolled in the study.Determination was performed by HPLC with chlorimipramine as internal standard.RESULTS:The same dose of domestic and imported doxepin cream was topically applied to the forearm skin of the volunteers for8consecutive days.The blood drug levels were very low in both groups without significant difference.CONCLUSION:The percutaneous absorbency of domestic5%doxepin cream can reach that of imported ones and the domestic cream is safe and effective.