Medications Relieve CKD-Related Itching.

In 71 stage 4 or 5 CKD patients who complained of itching for an average of 6 months, gabapentin or pregabalin relieved itching in 60 patients (85%). Patients' median itch severity score was 8 (out of 10) before treatment and 1 after treatment. Patients took 100 mg of gabapentin once daily or after each dialysis session. Patients who were unable to tolerate gabapentin took 25 mg of pregabalin once daily or after each dialysis session. The findings, reported by Renal & Urology News, were presented at the 50th Congress of the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association.