 Thus, the blockade of these specific channels is likely to underlie the analgesia of local anesthetics and anticonvulsants such as phenytoin.In addition, inhibition of these channels is also likely responsible for the analgesic efficacy of certain tricyclic antidepressants, and of mexiletine.Mutations of Nav1.7 have been linked to itching (pruritus), and genetic knockouts of Nav1.7 and an antibody that inhibits Nav1.7 also appear to inhibit itching.