Premium
Dexamethasone Use in Inpatient Palliative Care
Author(s) -
Kiani Mona,
Yip Anna YM,
Tuffin Penelope HR,
Roberts Malcolm,
Clifford Rhonda M
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/j.2055-2335.2011.tb00865.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dexamethasone , adverse effect , nausea , palliative care , dose , cohort , anesthesia , emergency medicine , intensive care medicine , nursing
ABSTRACT Aim To describe the prescribing patterns of dexamethasone in a cohort of palliative care inpatients. Method Data were collected from a consecutive sample of patients admitted to 2 palliative care units over an 8 week period. Data on dexamethasone use was also collected, i.e. indication for use, dosages, concurrent medications, adverse effects, blood glucose levels and reasons for changes in dose. Results 359 patients were admitted during the recruitment period and 185 (52%) were prescribed dexamethasone. 37 (20%) patients were prescribed dexamethasone for specific indications, such as cerebral disease, spinal cord compression and bowel obstruction. The majority of dexamethasone was prescribed for non‐specific indications: poor appetite, nausea, and poor wellbeing. A range of doses was prescribed for each indication and during their inpatient stay most patients (65%) had their dose reduced. Adverse effects were commonly reported; 117 (63%) patients experienced adverse effects attributable to dexamethasone. Conclusion Dexamethasone use is widespread in palliative care for a myriad of indications.