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Hydrocodone for cough in advanced cancer
1Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine, The Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, Ohio, USA.
The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care
|March 12, 2002
Summary
Hydrocodone is frequently used for cough in advanced cancer patients. This review of palliative care records shows varied dosing and duration, with lung cancer patients most commonly receiving it.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Medicine
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cough is a prevalent and distressing symptom in advanced cancer patients.
- Hydrocodone is a commonly prescribed antitussive agent in palliative care settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utilization patterns of hydrocodone for cough management in cancer patients admitted to a palliative medicine unit.
- To describe treatment duration, dosage, and identify cancer types associated with hydrocodone use.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pharmacy records for cancer admissions.
- Data collected from May 1996 to December 1998.
- Analysis of hydrocodone treatment duration, maximum daily dose, and total dose.
Main Results:
- Median hydrocodone treatment duration was 3 days (range 1-18 days).
- Median maximum daily dose was 15 mg (range 5-100 mg), and median total dose was 32 mg (range 5-455 mg).
- Lung cancer patients showed a strong association with hydrocodone use. Esophageal cancer had the longest treatment duration (5 days), while kidney cancer patients received the highest doses.
Conclusions:
- This study provides insights into hydrocodone prescribing practices for cough in advanced cancer patients within a palliative care unit.
- Further controlled trials are necessary to establish the efficacy and safety of hydrocodone for managing cough in this population.