An interventional study of Mepyramine cream and Histamine Dihydrochloride (HDC) in ITCH, sponsored by Aalborg University. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in Denmark. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 60 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-22.
Sponsored by Aalborg University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
Previous research has demonstrated that itch and pain share several underlying neural pathways and signaling molecules. Understanding these common mechanisms is important for developing more effective therapeutic strategies targeting both sensations. Mepyramine, an antihistamine, has been reported to exert effects on both itch and pain perception. In this study, we aim to investigate these effects using established experimental models of itch and pain. Itch will be induced using histamine, a naturally occurring substance in the human body, and spicules from the plant Mucuna pruriens (cowhage), while electrical stimulation will be used to assess pain-related responses. By combining these experimental approaches, we aim to better understand how mepyramine influences different sensory mechanisms. The overall purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of mepyramine on experimentally induced itch and pain in healthy volunteers.
Aalborg University is the lead sponsor of 182 studies on the registry; 38 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
History of peripheral or chronic pain conditions, neuropathy, neurological, dermatological, or psychiatric diagnoses that may affect the results.
This subproject will be conducted in one single session lasting approximately 4-5 hours. In each forearm of the participant, two 4x4 cm areas will be selected as Area of Interest (AOI). In these selected areas, the same cream will be applied for 1 hour. After the cream removal, itch will be induced using histamine and cowhage (the order of histamine and cowhage will be randomized). During the application of the substances, the itch/pain elicited will be monitored for 10 minutes using a VAS (Visual analog scale). After the removal of the substances, measurements of SBP, MEI, PTT MPT, MPS, and thermal sensitivity will be conducted.
Drug: Mepyramine cream · Other: Histamine Dihydrochloride (HDC) · Other: Cowhage (Mucuna Pruriens)
Mepyramine cream 2%
One drop of histamine will be applied on the selected areas and pierced with a lancet.
About 30 spicules will be applied on the selected areas and inserted manually
Measuring itch by computerized Visual Analog Scale Scoring
We will ask the subjects to rate the sensation of itch on a 100 mm VAS scale ranging from 0 to 100 where 0 indicates
Time frame: During Histamine/cowhage application
Superficial blood perfusion
Time frame: Before pruritogen application
Superficial blood perfusion
Time frame: 1 minute after pruritogen removal
Superficial blood perfusion
Time frame: 1 minute after cream+pruritogen removal
Perception threshold tracking model (PTT)
Time frame: Before cream application
Perception threshold tracking model (PTT)
Time frame: 1 minute after cream removal
Mechanically evoked itch (MEI)
MEI is measured by using mildly pruritic, non-painful von Frey nylon filaments of a predetermined intensity (generally 5-30 miliNewton of force).
Time frame: 2 minute after pruritogen removal
Mechanically evoked itch (MEI)
MEI is measured by using mildly pruritic, non-painful von Frey nylon filaments of a predetermined intensity (generally 5-30 miliNewton of force).
Time frame: 2 minute after cream+pruritogen removal
Mechanical Pain Thresholds (MPT)
This test is conducted using a pinprick set. The set consists of 7 needles each with a diameter of 0.6 mm and different force applications: 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, and 512 mN.
Time frame: 5 minute after pruritogen removal
Mechanical Pain Thresholds (MPT)
This test is conducted using a pinprick set. The set consists of 7 needles each with a diameter of 0.6 mm and different force applications: 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, and 512 mN.
Time frame: 5 minute after cream+pruritogen removal
Mechanical Pain Sensitivity (MPS)
This test is conducted with the same pinprick set used to test the MPT.
Time frame: 8 minute after pruritogen removal
Mechanical Pain Sensitivity (MPS)
This test is conducted with the same pinprick set used to test the MPT.
Time frame: 8 minute after cream+pruritogen removal
Cold Detection Thresholds (CDT)
The tests of thermal sensation will all be conducted using a TSA2 (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device
Time frame: 10 minute after pruritogen removal
Cold Detection Thresholds (CDT)
The tests of thermal sensation will all be conducted using a TSA2 (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device
Time frame: 10 minute after cream+pruritogen removal
Warm Detection Thresholds (WDT)
The tests of thermal sensation will all be conducted using a TSA2 (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device
Time frame: 10 minute after pruritogen removal
Warm Detection Thresholds (WDT)
The tests of thermal sensation will all be conducted using a TSA2 (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device
Time frame: 10 minute after cream+pruritogen removal
Cold Pain Thresholds (CPT)
The tests of thermal sensation will all be conducted using a TSA2 (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device
Time frame: 10 minute after pruritogen removal
Cold Pain Thresholds (CPT)
The tests of thermal sensation will all be conducted using a TSA2 (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device
Time frame: 10 minute after cream+pruritogen removal
Heat Pain Thresholds (HPT)
The tests of thermal sensation will all be conducted using a TSA2 (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device
Time frame: 10 minute after pruritogen removal
Heat Pain Thresholds (HPT)
The tests of thermal sensation will all be conducted using a TSA2 (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device
Time frame: 10 minute after cream+pruritogen removal
Pain to Supra-threshold Heat Stimuli (STHS)
The tests of thermal sensation will all be conducted using a TSA2 (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device
Time frame: 10 minute after pruritogen removal
Pain to Supra-threshold Heat Stimuli (STHS)
The tests of thermal sensation will all be conducted using a TSA2 (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device
Time frame: 10 minute after cream+pruritogen removal
Plan to share: No
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From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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