Over‐the‐counter topical antipruritic agents are commonly recommended by office‐based physicians: an analysis of US practice patterns

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pruritus is one of the most common complaints among patients who visit physicians. Over‐the‐counter topical antipruritic medications are widely recommended by physicians and are self‐administered by patients for the treatment of pruritus. However, there are few scientific controlled studies evaluating the effect of these drugs on pruritus.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of physician‐recommended over‐the‐counter medications for the treatment of pruritus.

METHODS: Records were analyzed for office‐based physician visits in which over‐the‐counter antipruritic topical medications were recommended in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey between the years 1995 and 2000.

RESULTS: The largest proportion of over‐the‐counter antipruritic agent recommendations were during visits to dermatologists, accounting for 41% of all such recommendations. Other physicians that recommended such agents included family physicians and pediatricians, accounting respectively for 26% and 21% of the recommendations. The most commonly recommended over‐the‐counter medications included hydrocortisone preparations (72%) and diphenhydramine (15%). Over‐the‐counter medications were more frequently recommended in the pediatric age group.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that over‐the‐counter medications are frequently recommended for the treatment of pruritus.

• National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
• Over‐the‐counter
• Pruritus