Mariam Shabbir, Maria Lorraine Bugayong, Michael Anthony DeVita
{"title":"Mpox Pain Management with Topical Agents: A Case Series.","authors":"Mariam Shabbir, Maria Lorraine Bugayong, Michael Anthony DeVita","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2250762","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2250762","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With the recent spread in monkeypox cases, continuous efforts are made to manage the disease efficiently. Pain at the site of monkeypox lesions and in areas of skin breakdown can be severe. The origin of pain is likely neuropathic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued general guidelines to control pain with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, gabapentin, and topical agents such as corticosteroids and lidocaine. Guidelines circulated by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest acetaminophen, tramadol, opioids, and/or topical lidocaine for symptomatic pain management. No first line agent with proven beneficial effect has been recommended in these patients. We present two patients' painful experiences with Monkeypox and suggest lessons learned.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"317-320"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10126058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Oxygen Therapy in the Last Days and Hours of Life: From Evidence to Practice.","authors":"Mónica Carqueijó","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2250332","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2250332","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"268-269"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10174058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Natalie Hartung, Zainab Fatima, Danielle M Noreika, J Brian Cassel, Katie S Adams
{"title":"Using Interdisciplinary Teams to Mitigate the Effects of Drug Shortages in Palliative Care: The Case of Lorazepam Injection.","authors":"Natalie Hartung, Zainab Fatima, Danielle M Noreika, J Brian Cassel, Katie S Adams","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2269899","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2269899","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Given the rising frequency of drug shortages in hospitals, interdisciplinary collaboration is necessary to manage medications, modify electronic medical records, and evaluate safety outcomes. One such shortage impacted lorazepam injection, a medication commonly used in palliative care to treat anxiety, agitation, and seizures. In anticipation of the lorazepam shortage in the summer of 2022, pharmacy staff collaborated with palliative care physicians to identify alternative treatment recommendations when providers were prohibited from ordering lorazepam injection. Before the shortage, lorazepam was used an average of 95 times per month on the palliative care unit. The overall use of benzodiazepines decreased substantially following the recommendation for the therapeutic alternative, midazolam, during the shortage. Once the shortage ended, use roughly returned to pre-shortage baselines. During this time, there were no patient safety events documented on the palliative care unit. Moreover, no changes to the care experience were reported by patients, family/caregivers, providers, or staff. The collaborative effort between pharmacy and palliative care specialists resulted in alternative treatments for palliative care patients during the drug shortage. This preserved the hospital's supply of lorazepam injection for a patient population with no suitable alternatives while still allowing for management of palliative patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"336-341"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49691008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"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.","authors":"Junya Sato, Rei Tanaka","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2253241","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2253241","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>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). A retrospective analysis was conducted on 97 patients with ICDSC scores of ≥4, comparing the scores before and after antipsychotic administration. A mean score <4 sustained for 3 days after antipsychotics administration was considered effective. The mean days with ICDSC <4 within a 3-day period were evaluated as well. The efficacy of antipsychotics was compared between cases with and without the use of opioids, steroids, benzodiazepines, anticholinergics, and antihistamines. 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.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"298-307"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10225778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Davene Lynch, Lyndsey Chitty, Brittany Johnson, Amie L Hoefnagel
{"title":"Suspected Buprenorphine-Precipitated Opioid Withdrawal following Intercourse: A Case Report.","authors":"Davene Lynch, Lyndsey Chitty, Brittany Johnson, Amie L Hoefnagel","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2250344","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2250344","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Buprenorphine, a partial mu-opioid receptor agonist, is a commonly prescribed medication for opioid use disorder (OUD). There is evidence that drugs may enter the male genitourinary tract by an ion-trapping process, based on the lipid solubility and degree of ionization (1). While little is known about the pharmacokinetics of drugs in seminal fluid, pH is thought to play an integral role. Limited evidence exists surrounding cervical absorption of drugs <i>via</i> seminal fluid transmission. This also prompts survey of the frequency of this event and the influence on treatment within this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"314-316"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10111666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jordan Fortunato, Justin Kullgren, Gary Houchard, Jessica Hirsch, Nicole Shirilla, Meridith Bumb, Junan Li
{"title":"Oxycodone Extended-Release Capsule Utilization for Pain Management in a Cancer Palliative Care Clinic: A Retrospective Review.","authors":"Jordan Fortunato, Justin Kullgren, Gary Houchard, Jessica Hirsch, Nicole Shirilla, Meridith Bumb, Junan Li","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2253248","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2253248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Xtampza ER™, an oxycodone extended-release capsule (OERC), was the first long-acting opioid to feature abuse-deterrent properties and various routes of administration without pharmacokinetic alterations. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate changes in reported pain scores after initiation of or rotation to OERC from a previous opioid. Baseline scores were from patients' outpatient visits immediately before starting OERC and were compared to those at the next two follow-up visits. Secondary objectives identified variables that influenced pain scores. Methods included screening for cancer patients with outpatient OERC prescriptions seen in the palliative care clinic. Eighty-two charts were reviewed with 66 included. Overall mean pain scores at both follow-ups were lower than those at baseline (-0.7 ± 2.1; -1.1 ± 2.4). Results were statistically significant between first and second-reported pain scores versus baseline (<i>p</i> = 0.009; 0.012) but clinically insignificant, defined as <i>a</i> ≥ 2-point change in numeric pain scores. Most patients discontinued OERC at the first or second follow-up (35; 53%), and 12.1% of patients who started OERC were prescribed OERC at the end of the study. There were no significant variables identified to influence pain scores either statistically or clinically. Further studies are needed to determine the long-term efficacy and safety in cancer palliative-care patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"286-297"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10279171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mpox Pain Management and Topical Agents.","authors":"Hinpetch Daungsupawong, Viroj Wiwanitkit","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2276930","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2276930","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":"37 4","pages":"270-271"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138445042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lena Zoma, Renee Alexander Paxton, Michelle Dehoorne, Christopher Giuliano
{"title":"Comparing Post-operative Opioid Consumption before and after a Patient-Controlled Analgesia Shortage: A Re-evaluation of Safety and Effectiveness.","authors":"Lena Zoma, Renee Alexander Paxton, Michelle Dehoorne, Christopher Giuliano","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2250334","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2250334","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare post-surgical opioid consumption before and after a PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) shortage. The study evaluated patients who received PCA <i>vs.</i> nurse-administered opioid analgesia (non-PCA). Two hundred and twenty-four patients ≥18 years who were initiated on analgesia within 24 h of surgery were included. The primary outcome was opioid consumption in average daily oral morphine milliequivalents (MME). The results showed that patients in the PCA group had increased MME consumption (162 ± 100.4 <i>vs.</i> 70.7 ± 52.8, <i>p</i> < 0.01), increased length of hospital stay (4.2 <i>vs.</i> 3.2 days, <i>p</i> < 0.01), and increased frequency of nausea (33 <i>vs.</i> 17.9%, <i>p</i> < 0.01). After controlling for confounding factors, the PCA group utilized significantly more opioids (84.6 MME/day, <i>p</i> < 0.01) than the non-PCA group. There was no difference in pain AUC/T (0.19 ± 0.07 <i>vs.</i> 0.21 ± 0.08, <i>p</i> = 0.07) and average opioid prescribing upon discharge (150 [77.5-360] <i>vs.</i> 90 [77.5-400], <i>p</i> = 0.64) between the PCA group and non-PCA group, respectively. These results question the routine use of PCA in post-operative patients due to the increased risk of opioid consumption, longer length of hospital stay, and higher incidence of nausea.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"272-277"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10160704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Potential Drug Interactions in Terminally-Ill Cancer Patients, a Report from the Middle East.","authors":"Hamed Mahzoni, Erfan Naghsh, Mehran Sharifi, Ayda Moghaddas, Mahnaz Momenzadeh, Azadeh Moghaddas","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2253223","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2023.2253223","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aims to evaluate the epidemiology of potential drug interactions in terminally-ill cancer patients receiving exclusively supportive care. In this cross-sectional study, during a 6-month follow-up, we considered the medical record of terminally-ill cancer patients referred to palliative care at the cancer center in Isfahan, Iran. Potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were assessed by Lexi-Interact ver.1.1 online software. During the study period, 133 terminally-ill cancer patients were recruited. We detected 1678 DDIs with moderate or major severity levels. Among them, 330, 219, 32, 1075, and 51 interactions were categorized in B, C, D, and X drug interactions categories, respectively. One hundred and twenty-two patients (91.73%) encountered at least one potential drug-drug interaction during the end of life care. Mechanistically, most drug-drug interactions (64.5%) were pharmacodynamics. The most frequent pharmacological class of drugs responsible for DDIs were quetiapine (91 cases), oxycodone (87 cases), and sertraline (55 cases). Interaction between oxycodone and sertraline was found to be in the top 10 detected DDIs (13.7%). Our results showed that potentially moderate or major drug-drug interactions often occur among terminally-ill cancer patients and the clinical significance of DDIs should be considered meticulously in the palliative care cancer setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"278-285"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10243800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}