The effects of prednisolone and niacin on chloroquine-induced pruritus in malaria

• Published in: European journal of clinical pharmacology 1991-01, Vol.41 (4), p.383-385
• Main Authors: AJAYI, A. A, AKINLEYE, A. O, UDOH, S. J, AJAYI, O. O, OYELESE, O, IJAWARE, C. O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Chloroquine - adverse effects; Double-Blind Method; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Malaria, Falciparum - drug therapy; Male; Medical sciences; Niacin - therapeutic use; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Prednisolone - therapeutic use; Pruritus - chemically induced; Pruritus - drug therapy; Pruritus - prevention & control; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Toxicity: skin, dermoskeleton
• ISSN: 0031-6970; 1432-1041
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00314973

Chloroquine chemotherapy of malaria fever induces severe generalised pruritus in a large proportion of black Africans. In a double blind, placebo controlled, randomised, parallel group study in 28 historically chloroquine pruritus-reactor (R+) patients, with malaria, we evaluated the prophylactic and the palliative antipruritic actions of prednisolone (5 mg) or niacin (50 mg). There was a significant prophylactic effect of both drugs on the pruritogenecity of chloroquine as well as significant reduction in the area under the pruritus intensity-time curve, AUC(0-72 h) by niacin. The salutary effect both of niacin and prednisolone on chloroquine pruritogenecity resulted neither, in the mitigation of malaria parasite clearance, nor in the clinical amelioration following antimalaria therapy.