Practice
The use of opioids for dyspnea in advanced disease
Romayne Gallagher
CMAJ July 12, 2011 183 (10) 1170; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.110024
Romayne Gallagher
Romayne Gallagher is with the Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Providence Health Care, and the Division of Palliative Care, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
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The use of opioids for dyspnea in advanced disease
Romayne Gallagher
CMAJ Jul 2011, 183 (10) 1170; DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.110024
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- Opioids are the drugs of choice for treating dyspnea refractory to disease-specific therapy in advanced disease
- Opioids used in appropriate doses do not cause respiratory depression in patients who have dyspnea from advanced disease
- Opioids do not shorten life
- The selection of opioid and the dose must be individualized to the patient
- Opioids with active metabolites accumulate in frail older adults and patients with renal failure and can cause significant adverse events
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