Palliative uses of methylphenidate in patients with cancer: a review.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Cancer is, unfortunately, often a terminal disease. The goal of therapy for many patients with cancer is palliation of symptoms common at the end of life, including pain, depression, and cognitive dysfunction. Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant most commonly used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In this report, we review the use of methylphenidate in the palliative care of patients with cancer.

METHODS:

This review was written on the basis of a computerized literature search of Medline. We considered all English language publications from 1966 to present using the following key words: methylphenidate, palliative care, and cancer. Forty-nine articles were identified as being relevant for this review.

RESULTS:

On the basis of this review, we came to the conclusion that methylphenidate is used to ameliorate opioid-induced somnolence, to augment the analgesic effects of opioids, to treat depression, and to improve cognitive function in patients with cancer.

CONCLUSION:

The medical literature supports the palliative use of methylphenidate in the care of patients with cancer. Further placebo-controlled trials are needed to elucidate the precise role that methylphenidate will have in providing symptom relief to dying patients.

• Authors: Mark Rozans, Albert Dreisbach, Juan J L Lertora, Marc J Kahn
• Journal: Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (J Clin Oncol) Vol. 20 Issue 1 Pg. 335-9 (Jan 01 2002) ISSN: 0732-183X [Print] United States
• PMID: 11773187 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Central Nervous System Stimulants
• Methylphenidate

Topics

• Analgesics, Opioid (adverse effects)
• Central Nervous System Stimulants (therapeutic use)
• Cognition Disorders (drug therapy, etiology)
• Depression (drug therapy, etiology)
• Disorders of Excessive Somnolence (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Methylphenidate (therapeutic use)
• Neoplasms (complications, drug therapy)
• Palliative Care (methods)