Abstract | PURPOSE: METHODS: The results presented are from a phase II study with dose titration. SETTING: Palliative medicine program in a tertiary referral center PATIENTS: 25 consecutive patients with cough from irreversible causes, on a stable opioid regimen for the prior 24 hours, and no previous or current use of hydrocodone for cough. INTERVENTION: 5 mg hydrocodone was administered twice daily. The dose was then titrated daily (maximum: 60 mg/24 h), if needed, until a > or = 50 percent improvement of the frequency of cough was achieved and then maintained for three consecutive days. MEASUREMENTS: RESULTS: 20 persons (10 women and 10 men) completed study evaluation. Median age was 63 years (range: 42-82). Nine patients had lung cancer and seven had lung or pleura metastases; 19 patients had at least 50 percent improvement of their cough frequency. The median best response was 70 percent improvement in the cough frequency (range: 50-90 percent). Median hydrocodone dose associated with the best response was 10 mg/day (range: 5-30 mg/day). Cough severity, frequency, associated symptoms and complications, and activities of daily living improved significantly. Side effects of hydrocodone (dry mouth, nausea, and drowsiness) were tolerable and rated as mild. CONCLUSIONS:
Hydrocodone is effective and safe to treat cough in advanced cancer A starting dose of 10 mg per day in divided doses seems effective. Dose escalation may be required. Most improved within one day.
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Authors | Jade Homsi, Declan Walsh, Kristine A Nelson, Nabeel Sarhill, Lisa Rybicki, Susan B Legrand, Mellar P Davis |
Journal | The American journal of hospice & palliative care
(Am J Hosp Palliat Care)
2002 Jan-Feb
Vol. 19
Issue 1
Pg. 49-56
ISSN: 1049-9091 [Print] United States |
PMID | 12171425
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antitussive Agents
- Hydrocodone
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antitussive Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Cough
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Humans
- Hydrocodone
(therapeutic use)
- Lung Neoplasms
(complications, drug therapy)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Palliative Care
- Pleural Neoplasms
(complications, drug therapy)
- Statistics, Nonparametric
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