Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Prophylatic use of IV nalmefene to prevent epidural opioid-induced pruritus: A multicenter, randomized clinical trial.
The incidence of pruritus from neuraxial opioids is about 60%. Pruritus causes discomfort and decreases the quality of recovery. This randomized double-blinded clinical trial was aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effects of a single dose IV nalmefene on the incidence and severity of epidural opioid-induced pruritus within 24 h after surgeries. ⋯ A single dose of 0.5 μg/kg nalmefene intravenously significantly reduced the incidence and severity of epidural-opioid induced pruritus within 24 h after surgery without affecting the efficacy of epidural analgesia.