What’s safe to take for opiate itch.

[Elisse3]

Hi what’s ok to take for opiate itch which doesnt aggravate RLS. The itching isnt extreme but enough to need something. Tx

[Madlegs1]

It will go after a while-- weeks.

But you could try an antihistamine, non drowsy-- such as cetrizine.

However, do be warned-- you can take these forever,without harm, but getting off them will be like Pramipexol. Just awful withdrawals.

I stopped them once, and seriously thought I was developing tolerance to the opioids. Only discovered it was withdrawal from the cetrizine after two weeks of going nuts.

Good luck.

Eurax is good for localised itching-- if that's any help.

[Elisse3 in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks Madlegs , hmmm maybe not a good idea to take the cetrizine then. As it’s only mild itching better to cope with that. 😊

[Madlegs1 in reply to Elisse3]

You could try for a few weeks?

[Bramble2000 in reply to Madlegs1]

Eurax won’t work on this type of itching.

[Joolsg]

I use 10mg cetirizine. However I have slowly reduced it by biting it into ⅓. At the moment I take ⅓ every other night and will then reduce further as I used it for opioid sweats & they're reducing.As Madlegs has previously warned about cetirizine withdrawal, I will go slowly.

[SueJohnson]

In addition to the cetirizine (zyrtec), allegra and claritin are safe. I have had no problem withdrawing from claritin for what it's worth.

I have edited this because I confused cetirizine with claritin.

[Virginic in reply to SueJohnson]

I occasionally use Cetirizine to help me sleep, as it certainly does make me drowsy. Then Loratidine for anything allergic in the daytime.

[Claire_lc]

It was only when I read your post that I made the connection between the itching I’ve been experiencing since starting Buprenorphine, especially at night, although that’s probably because you notice everything more then. It’s like tiny pinpoints of itching that aren’t terrible but need a good scratch to alleviate them.

The idea of cetirizine causing withdrawal symptoms makes me very wary of starting. Plus I’m sure I’ve read about long term effects including dementia??? I wonder if @joolsg or anyone else knows of any other products that might help that don’t come with yet more side effects?

[Joolsg in reply to Claire_lc]

I only know of cetirizine and loratedine to stop the itching/ sweats. But they definitely reduce over time as your body adjusts to the opioids.

[Claire_lc in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you Jools. So maybe worth holding out and not taking antihistamines. A bit of itching is a very small price to pay for the relief from RLS.

[Joolsg in reply to Claire_lc]

I agree. Or try some cerave anti itch cream on the troublesome areas.

[SueJohnson in reply to Claire_lc]

The slight possibility of causing dementia would be with long term use. I wouldn't worry about that.

[Typicallygaslit]

My experience is that all sorts of things can cause pruritus, and funny enough antihistamines are the worst for me! And they all give me RLS as well, almost as though the two were connected... but I’m a bit weirdly wired. I hope you’ll find it goes away by itself.

[Simkin]

Ah! I wonder? Since being on buprenorphine I have developed an itchy jawline which drives me mad.I put it down to yet another "age thing" but maybe it is the buprenorphine?