Efficacy of aprepitant for refractory pruritus in patients with epidermolysis bullosa and atopic dermatitis: A retrospective study.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: At a single-center pediatric hospital, the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant was used to treat refractory pruritus in epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS: Thirty-seven patients were included (24 EB patients, 13 AD patients), ages 10 months to 37 years. RESULTS: 58% (14/24) of patients with EB and 85% (11/13) of patients with AD reported aprepitant was effective in decreasing their pruritus, with age-related differences in efficacy observed in EB patients, and access to the medication by insurance denial or availability of the drug as a barrier to use. CONCLUSIONS: Aprepitant shows promise in controlling refractory pruritus in pediatric EB and AD patients and deserves further study.