Methylphenidate for fatigue in advanced cancer: A prospective open-label pilot study

Nabeel Sarhill; Declan Walsh; Kristine A. Nelson; Jade Homsi; Susan Legrand; Mellar P. Davis

doi:10.1177/104990910101800310

Methylphenidate for fatigue in advanced cancer: A prospective open-label pilot study

Nabeel Sarhill, Declan Walsh, Kristine A. Nelson, Jade Homsi, Susan Legrand, Mellar P. Davis

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

111 Scopus citations

Abstract

Psychostimulants such as methylphenidate are used for fatigue in cancer patients. We report a prospective, open-label, pilot study of the successful use of methylphenidate to treat fatigue in nine of 11 consecutive patients with advanced cancer. Seven had received radiation or chemotherapy, a median of three weeks (range from one to 30 weeks) prior to methylphenidate. A rapid onset of benefit was noted, even in the presence of mild anemia. Sedation and pain also improved in some. Only one patient had side effects severe enough to stop the medication.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	187-192
Number of pages	6
Journal	American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Volume	18
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/104990910101800310
State	Published - May 2001

Keywords

cancer
fatigue
methylphenidate
psychostimulant
symptom management

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Medicine

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10.1177/104990910101800310

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abstract = "Psychostimulants such as methylphenidate are used for fatigue in cancer patients. We report a prospective, open-label, pilot study of the successful use of methylphenidate to treat fatigue in nine of 11 consecutive patients with advanced cancer. Seven had received radiation or chemotherapy, a median of three weeks (range from one to 30 weeks) prior to methylphenidate. A rapid onset of benefit was noted, even in the presence of mild anemia. Sedation and pain also improved in some. Only one patient had side effects severe enough to stop the medication.",

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AU - Homsi, Jade

AU - Legrand, Susan

AU - Davis, Mellar P.

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AB - Psychostimulants such as methylphenidate are used for fatigue in cancer patients. We report a prospective, open-label, pilot study of the successful use of methylphenidate to treat fatigue in nine of 11 consecutive patients with advanced cancer. Seven had received radiation or chemotherapy, a median of three weeks (range from one to 30 weeks) prior to methylphenidate. A rapid onset of benefit was noted, even in the presence of mild anemia. Sedation and pain also improved in some. Only one patient had side effects severe enough to stop the medication.

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KW - fatigue

KW - methylphenidate

KW - psychostimulant

KW - symptom management

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Methylphenidate for fatigue in advanced cancer: A prospective open-label pilot study

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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