Pain, Opioids, And Neuropsychiatric Pharmacology Practice Test

Which treatment is recommended for the opioid side effect of itching?

Analgesics Antihistamines Corticosteroids Opioid rotation

Correct Answer:

Antihistamines

Explanation:

Opioid-induced itching is often caused by histamine release from mast cells in response to some opioid drugs. Blocking histamine signaling with an H1 antihistamine prevents histamine from activating its receptors on itch-sensing nerves, which reduces the sensation of pruritus. This is why antihistamines are the most direct, targeted way to relieve this particular side effect. Other options don’t address the histamine-mediated itch: analgesics won’t treat itching, corticosteroids aren’t specifically anti-pruritic in this context, and rotating opioids may help if itch is persistent but isn’t the first-line approach for isolated itching.

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