Use of n-ethyl-o-crotonotoluidide for the relief of pruritus.

Abstract

In 1946 Domenjoz 1 reported on the development and clinical use of N-ethyl-o-crotonotoluidide, 2 a newly synthesized scabicide. Additional reports 3 emphasizing its scabieticidal properties and lack of local or systemic reactions soon appeared. In 1949 its use both as a scabicide and as an antipruritic agent was reported by Couperus, 4 who obtained in 70 cases of scabies 100 per cent cure and in 124 cases of a variety of dermatoses complete relief from pruritus, lasting six to eight hours, in 66.2 per cent, moderate relief in 27.4 per cent and little or no relief in 6.4 per cent. Impressed with the antipruritic virtues of N-ethyl-o-crotonotoluidide cited by Couperus, we treated 121 patients representing all age groups and both sexes, some of them forover a year, to see whether the drug's antipruritic properties persisted with continued use and whether long usage caused local reactions. In all cases in which excellent relief with 10 per cent N-ethyl-o-crotonotoluidide in a washable ointment base was shown no relief was obtained with