Skin itchiness

Question
Our 3-year-old champagne-coloured Havanese has been on Vanectyl P (goes by Temeril P in the U.S., I believe), for about a year-and-a-half to two years (can't remember exactly when we started him on it). We noticed when he was just over a year old that he was scratching excessively, especially around his face and top of his head, to the point where he was bleeding. We tried children's Benadryl on the advice of our vet, but it didn't help. She then put him in Vanectyl P, which did help. Over the time he has been on the med, we've noticed a change in his behaviour--becoming more aggressive towards other dogs. He was always a nervous dog when first meeting people, but soon warms up to them. He has been to pet lessons when about a year old, with no aggression problems. We want to take him off this med and try something else for his itchiness.  1) Could the Vanectyl P could be causing behavioural changes?   2) How should we take him off the med gradually? One pill every other day for a specified time? 1/2 pill a day? (he's currently on 1 pill a day)   3) Are there any safe, but effective, alternatives for skin itchiness?

Answer
The prenisone that is in this product can cause behavioral changes.  To wean him off of it, use it every other day for 2 weeks and while you are doing that, you can try another type of drug for the itching.  Ask your vet for ATOPICA, which is cyclosporine.  It will reduce itching without the prednisone side effects.