TY - JOUR
T1 - The effect of donepezil on sedation and other symptoms in patients receiving opioids for cancer pain
T2 - A pilot study
AU - Bruera, Eduardo
AU - Strasser, Florian
AU - Shen, Loren
AU - Palmer, J. Lynn
AU - Willey, Jie
AU - Driver, Larry C.
AU - Burton, Allen W.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors acknowledge the support of the Cancer Pain Clinic, the Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic and Dr. Christine Myers and her team for the neuro-cognitive assessments (data not shown). This study was partially funded by the Brown Foundation, Houston, Texas. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals also provided a grant (CS02-7234DH) for this study. Dr. Strasser is supported by a grant from the Swiss Cancer Research (BIL grant KFS 950-09-1999).
PY - 2003/11
Y1 - 2003/11
N2 - Opioid-induced sedation is a major complication in patients with cancer pain. This study assessed the effectiveness of donepezil in opioid-induced sedation and related symptoms in patients with cancer pain. Twenty-seven patients who were receiving strong opioids for pain and reported sedation were enrolled. Donepezil 5 mg was given every morning for 7 days. Changes between baseline and Day 7 in sedation, pain, fatigue and other symptoms were evaluated using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Fatigue was also measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue). Overall usefulness of donepezil was measured by the patient at the end of the study. In 20 evaluable patients, sedation, fatigue, anxiety, well-being, depression, anorexia and problems with sleep were significantly improved. Side effects included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle and abdominal cramps, and anorexia. Overall, however, the treatment was well tolerated. Donepezil appears to improve sedation and fatigue in patients receiving opioids for cancer pain. Randomized controlled trials of this agent are justified.
AB - Opioid-induced sedation is a major complication in patients with cancer pain. This study assessed the effectiveness of donepezil in opioid-induced sedation and related symptoms in patients with cancer pain. Twenty-seven patients who were receiving strong opioids for pain and reported sedation were enrolled. Donepezil 5 mg was given every morning for 7 days. Changes between baseline and Day 7 in sedation, pain, fatigue and other symptoms were evaluated using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Fatigue was also measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue). Overall usefulness of donepezil was measured by the patient at the end of the study. In 20 evaluable patients, sedation, fatigue, anxiety, well-being, depression, anorexia and problems with sleep were significantly improved. Side effects included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle and abdominal cramps, and anorexia. Overall, however, the treatment was well tolerated. Donepezil appears to improve sedation and fatigue in patients receiving opioids for cancer pain. Randomized controlled trials of this agent are justified.
KW - Donepezil
KW - Opioid
KW - Sedation
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U2 - 10.1016/S0885-3924(03)00332-4
DO - 10.1016/S0885-3924(03)00332-4
M3 - Comment/debate
C2 - 14585555
AN - SCOPUS:0142216319
SN - 0885-3924
VL - 26
SP - 1049
EP - 1054
JO - Journal of pain and symptom management
JF - Journal of pain and symptom management
IS - 5
ER -