Colesevelam Versus Placebo in Cholestatic Pruritus
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2009-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
38 patients with pruritus due to chronic cholestatic liver disease will be evaluated in an
investigator initiated, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-week study assessing
the effects of colesevelam on pruritus. Colesevelam is an oral, non-absorbable bile-acid
sequestrant much more potent than cholestyramine but free of adverse effects. It is
registered as a lipid lowering agent. The intensity of symptoms will be scored by means of
daily Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). Fatigue, quality of life and cutaneous scratch lesions
will also be evaluated using quantitative instruments.