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Use of clonidine to decrease intestinal fluid losses in patients with high-output short-bowel syndrome.
Karen McDoniel1, Beth Taylor, Way Huey
1Nutrition Support Service, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
|August 5, 2004
Summary
Clonidine effectively reduced high intestinal outputs in two patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) who did not respond to other therapies. This treatment improved fluid balance and quality of life for these SBS patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Short bowel syndrome (SBS) can cause high intestinal outputs, leading to dehydration and impaired quality of life.
- Conventional therapies for SBS often fail to manage severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
Observation:
- Two patients with SBS and high intestinal outputs, refractory to standard treatments, were evaluated.
- Clonidine, an alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist, was administered to assess its efficacy in managing excessive intestinal losses.
Findings:
- In case 1, clonidine (0.1 mg PO BID) reduced ostomy output from ~4 L/day to ~1 L/day, eliminating the need for parenteral support.
- In case 2, clonidine (0.2 mg PO BID) decreased rectal output from ~4 L/day to ~1.5 L/day.
Implications:
- Clonidine demonstrates significant potential in reducing intestinal fluid and electrolyte losses in SBS patients.
- This alpha2-adrenergic agonist represents a viable additional therapeutic option for refractory cases of short bowel syndrome with high outputs.