A recent study compared Pregabalin and Ketotifens efficiency in treating uremic pruritus in hemodialysis (HD) patients. It randomized thirty HD patients into two groups: A (Pregabalin 50 mg three times a day) and B (Ketotifen 1 mg twice a day). 

It evaluated the efficacy of treatment and quality of life weekly by visual analogue scale (VAS) and Itchy Quality of life, respectively.

The study described no significant difference between the two groups regarding demographic features, laboratory data, quality of life, and VAS before treatment. In the second week of treatment, the Pregabalin group showed markedly lower pruritus intensity than the Ketotifen group. Furthermore, it found markedly lowered mean of life quality in Ketotifen than Pregabalin group in weeks 1, 2, and 4. Lastly, it found no significant difference between the two groups regarding the side effects of drugs. 

This study proves that a higher dose of pregabalin holds more efficacy than Ketotifen without additive side effects in enhancing the quality of life in patients receiving dialysis.

Dermatologic Therapy. 2022;35(7):e15579. https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.15579