RT Book, Section A1 Kowalczyk, John J. A2 Hess, Philip E. A2 Li, Yunping A2 Kowalczyk, John J. A2 Stiles, Justin K. SR Print(0) ID 1199674037 T1 Pruritus from Labor Analgesia T2 Obstetric Anesthesia: Quick References & Practical Guides YR 2023 FD 2023 PB McGraw Hill PP New York, NY SN 9781264671465 LK obgyn.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1199674037 RD 2024/03/28 AB Pruritus is a side effect of neuraxial opioids.Evaluate the patient and assess the relative degree of itching.Itching is an expected side effect that is often mild and may be self-limiting if associated with spinal fentanyl for labor. Approximately an hour and a half after the spinal dose for labor, itching improves in the majority of patients.The majority of patients do not need medications to treat pruritus. An explanation and reassurance are often sufficient until the spinal dose of fentanyl no longer has an effect.Only if itching is significantly bothersome to the patient should a treatment option be offered.Treatment with antagonists and agonist-antagonist could intrinsically reverse the labor analgesia. Use with caution.