Available pharmacologic treatments for pruritus associated with cholestasis have limited efficacy. Preliminary data suggest that ileal bile acid transport (IBAT) inhibitors, which interrupt enterohepatic circulation of bile acids, might be an effective future option. In a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial of 22 patients with pruritus associated with primary biliary cirrhosis, treatment with an investigational selective inhibitor of human IBAT for two weeks reduced total and conjugated bile acid levels and pruritus. Diarrhea was the most frequent treatment-related adverse event but did not require dose reduction or discontinuation.
Larger studies of longer duration are warranted to assess the efficacy of IBAT inhibitors in the treatment of pruritus in cholestasis. Source- Hegade VS, Kendrick SF, Dobbins RL, et al. Effect of ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor GSK2330672 on…
