Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Mar 2024
Data-Based Opioid Risk Review in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Retrospective Chart Review.
A retrospective, cohort, single center, chart review was conducted to compare rates of opioid-associated serious adverse events (SAEs) in a patient cohort 6 months before and 6 months after data-based opioid risk review. The primary objective was the composite reduction in opioid-related SAEs including suicide-related events and opioid overdoses. The impact of the reviews was assessed via multivariate logistic regression and a McNemar's test to analyze difference in rates of opioid-associated SAEs. ⋯ The HR for suicide-related events and opioid-related SAEs when opioid therapy was discontinued were 9.95 (2.16-45.94, p = 0.009) and 15.64 (1.09-225.19, p = 0.001) respectively when compared to continuation of opioids. This study showed that data-based opioid risk review may reduce incidence of opioid-related SAEs in patients with chronic pain. Additionally, opioid tapers and discontinuations are significant risk factors for suicide-related events and opioid-related SAEs.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Mar 2024
ReviewThe Use of Ketamine for Malignant and Nonmalignant Chronic Pain in Children: A Review of Current Evidence.
Chronic pain in children continues to pose significant challenges. The pharmacological approach most often revolves around trials and errors, expert opinions, and extrapolation of adult study findings. Ketamine is one of the agents used for chronic pain, especially with a neuropathic component. ⋯ The heterogeinity of ketamine infusion protocols and frequent concomitant use of other analgesics make it difficult to draw robust conclusions. The long-term effect of prolonged usage also remains a concern. Nevertheless, with careful monitoring, the drug may be a reasonable choice for malignant and nonmalignant pain management in selected cases, especially for refractory pain not responding to conventional approaches.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Mar 2024
Observational StudyA Tool for Deprescribing Antithrombotic Medication in Palliative Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Evaluation.
Treating palliative cancer patients with antithrombotics is challenging because of the higher risk for both venous thromboembolism and major bleeding. There is a lack of available guidelines on deprescribing potentially inappropriate antithrombotics. We have therefore created an antithrombotics scheme to aid in (de)prescribing antithrombotics. ⋯ The higher frequency of clinical events in the group without scheme adherence suggests that (de)prescribing antithrombotics according to the antithrombotics scheme is safe. The results of this study suggest that the antithrombotics scheme could aid healthcare professionals identifying possible inappropriate antithrombotics in palliative cancer patients. Further prospective research is needed to investigate this tool.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Dec 2023
Effects of Opioids, Steroids, Benzodiazepines, Anticholinergics, and Antihistamines on the Efficacy of Antipsychotics for Treating Delirium in End-of-Life Adult Patients Undergoing Palliative Care.
The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of combination therapy involving opioids, steroids, benzodiazepines, anticholinergics, and antihistamines on antipsychotics efficacy for delirium. The study included adult inpatients receiving end-of-life palliative care and diagnosed with hyperactive delirium. Changes in delirium symptoms were assessed using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC). ⋯ The results revealed no significant differences in the efficacy of antipsychotics for delirium when used in conjunction with opioids (odds ratio 0.614, 95% CI [0.179-2.105]), benzodiazepines (0.387, [0.108-1.390]), steroids (1.258, [0.276-5.746]), or anticholinergics (2.085, [0. 148-29.458]). Additionally, no significant differences were observed in the mean days with ICDSC <4 within 3-day period. Although opioids, benzodiazepines, steroids, anticholinergics, and antihistamines are recognized as delirium risk factors, their use for symptom relief in patients with delirium may not affect antipsychotic efficacy.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Dec 2023
Case ReportsAtypical Withdrawal Symptoms after Abrupt Tramadol Discontinuation: A Case Report.
Tramadol is a commonly utilized analgesic in the United States. One common misconception is that tramadol is safer than other opioid medications, or less likely to cause physical dependence. Given these misconceptions, the likelihood of patients experiencing withdrawal after discontinuation may be commonly overlooked as well. ⋯ She reports concerning symptoms of significant mucus production, fullness in chest and soreness in neck. Although tramadol is a Schedule IV Controlled Substance the risk of physical dependence and likelihood of patients experiencing withdrawal symptoms after abrupt cessation should not be diminished. Tramadol should not be considered a "safer" opioid therapy without potential of classic or atypical withdrawal symptoms, as well as risk of abuse, misuse or addiction.