TY - JOUR
T1 - A phase II study of hydrocodone for cough in advanced cancer
AU - Homsi, Jade
AU - Walsh, Declan
AU - Nelson, Kristine A.
AU - Sarhill, Nabeel
AU - Rybicki, Lisa
AU - Legrand, Susan B.
AU - Davis, Mellar P.
PY - 2002/1
Y1 - 2002/1
N2 - Purpose:Cough is a common symptom in advanced cancer. The use of hydrocodone as an antitussive has not been studied previously in this setting. This study evaluates hydrocodone for cough in advanced cancer.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, unti a350 percent improvement of the frequency of cough was achieved and then maintained for three consecutive days.Measurements:Cough severity, frequency, complications, and hydrocodone side effects.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.
AB - Purpose:Cough is a common symptom in advanced cancer. The use of hydrocodone as an antitussive has not been studied previously in this setting. This study evaluates hydrocodone for cough in advanced cancer.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, unti a350 percent improvement of the frequency of cough was achieved and then maintained for three consecutive days.Measurements:Cough severity, frequency, complications, and hydrocodone side effects.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.
KW - hospice nursing
KW - human becoming (theory of)
KW - living-dying rhythms
KW - nursing practice
KW - palliative care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036359382&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0036359382&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/104990910201900110
DO - 10.1177/104990910201900110
M3 - Article
C2 - 12171425
AN - SCOPUS:0036359382
SN - 1049-9091
VL - 19
SP - 49
EP - 56
JO - American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
JF - American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
IS - 1
ER -