PRAMOXINE
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
Pramoxine is a local anesthetic and antipruritic(1,2). The anti-itch and local anesthetic properties of pramoxine have been studied in primary literature and pramoxine treatments have been found to be effective antiprutics and local anesthetics(1,2). Although the anesthetic and antipruritic effects of pramoxine have been studied, the use of pramoxine in the treatment of cold sores or cold sore symptoms has not been studied. Pramoxine is listed in many tertiary sources as an option for the treatment of cold sores symptoms, but as previously mentioned, it has not been studied in the primary literature(3,4). From the literature, it is evident that pramoxine is less sensitizing than benzocaine (another topical anesthetic) and has less cross sensitivity than other local anesthetics(3,4).
Bottom line: Pramoxine has no evidence for efficacy in the treatment of cold sores or cold sore symptoms specifically; however, evidence does suggest it is an effective antipruritic and anesthetic. Pramoxine is an option for the treatment of the pain and itching symptoms of cold sores and is a safe option for those who cannot tolerate other local anesthetics.
References
1. Kircik, LH. Efficacy and onset of action of hydrocortisone acetate 2.5% and pramoxine hydrochloride 1% lotion for the management of pruritus. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2011; 4(2).
2. Yosipovitch G and Maibach HI. Effect of topical pramoxine on experimentally induced pruritus in humans. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997;37(2):278-280.
3. Micromedex. Pramoxine Hydrochloride. Available at: http://www.micromedexsolutions.com/micromedex2/librarian/PFDefaultActionId/evidencexpert.DoIntegratedSearch. Accessed June 21, 2014.
4. Conklin JS. Chapter 92: Cold sores (Herpes Labialis). In: Repchinsky C, Jovaisas B, Lewis G, Perrier H, Riachi M and Ross A, eds. Patient Self Care. 2nd ed. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010: 889-895.
5. Lexi-comp. Pramoxine. Available at: http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/7540. Accessed June 21, 2014.
Pramoxine is a local anesthetic and antipruritic(1,2). The anti-itch and local anesthetic properties of pramoxine have been studied in primary literature and pramoxine treatments have been found to be effective antiprutics and local anesthetics(1,2). Although the anesthetic and antipruritic effects of pramoxine have been studied, the use of pramoxine in the treatment of cold sores or cold sore symptoms has not been studied. Pramoxine is listed in many tertiary sources as an option for the treatment of cold sores symptoms, but as previously mentioned, it has not been studied in the primary literature(3,4). From the literature, it is evident that pramoxine is less sensitizing than benzocaine (another topical anesthetic) and has less cross sensitivity than other local anesthetics(3,4).
Bottom line: Pramoxine has no evidence for efficacy in the treatment of cold sores or cold sore symptoms specifically; however, evidence does suggest it is an effective antipruritic and anesthetic. Pramoxine is an option for the treatment of the pain and itching symptoms of cold sores and is a safe option for those who cannot tolerate other local anesthetics.
References
1. Kircik, LH. Efficacy and onset of action of hydrocortisone acetate 2.5% and pramoxine hydrochloride 1% lotion for the management of pruritus. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2011; 4(2).
2. Yosipovitch G and Maibach HI. Effect of topical pramoxine on experimentally induced pruritus in humans. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997;37(2):278-280.
3. Micromedex. Pramoxine Hydrochloride. Available at: http://www.micromedexsolutions.com/micromedex2/librarian/PFDefaultActionId/evidencexpert.DoIntegratedSearch. Accessed June 21, 2014.
4. Conklin JS. Chapter 92: Cold sores (Herpes Labialis). In: Repchinsky C, Jovaisas B, Lewis G, Perrier H, Riachi M and Ross A, eds. Patient Self Care. 2nd ed. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010: 889-895.
5. Lexi-comp. Pramoxine. Available at: http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/7540. Accessed June 21, 2014.