Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of artemether emulsion on localized senile pruritus: A randomized pilot study

Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Sep 2;101(35):e30472. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000030472.

Abstract

Background: Localized senile pruritus is a continued health problem for the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of artemether emulsion on localized senile pruritus.

Methods: Sixty patients diagnosed with senile pruritus were randomized into the artemether emulsion (1%) group or emulsion base group in a 1:1 ratio (the artemether group vs the control group). The patients used artemether emulsion or emulsion base for pruritus twice daily for 2 weeks. The pruritus visual analog scale (VAS) and the rate of adverse events were evaluated in week 0 and week 2.

Results: The VAS scores in week 2 after treatment decreased significantly compared with those before treatment in both groups (P < .05). After treatment, patients receiving the artemether emulsion had significantly lower mean VAS scores compared to those who received the emulsion base (1.21 ± 1.64 vs 3.67 ± 2.97, P < .05). When the VAS scores were compared between the 2 groups before treatment, the effective rate of the artemether group was significantly higher than that of the control group (χ2 = 55, P < .05) in week 2 after treatment. Besides, no adverse events occurred in both groups.

Conclusions: Both artemether emulsion and emulsion base were effective in treating localized senile pruritus, and artemether emulsion was superior to emulsion base.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Artemether
  • Emulsions
  • Humans
  • Pilot Projects
  • Pruritus* / drug therapy
  • Pruritus* / etiology
  • Visual Analog Scale

Substances

  • Emulsions
  • Artemether