The use of psychostimulants in palliative and supportive treatment of cancer patients

Marek Kaminski; Per Sj gren

Vol 6, No 1 (2007)

Review articles

Published online: 2007-02-22

View PDF

Download PDF file

Get Citation

The use of psychostimulants in palliative and supportive treatment of cancer patients

Marek Kaminski, Per Sj gren

Advances in Palliative Medicine 2007;6(1):23-32.

Vol 6, No 1 (2007)

Review articles

Published online: 2007-02-22

Abstract

Psychostimulants have been used in psychiatric and medically ill patients. The need to control and counteract the multiple distressing symptoms related to cancer and its treatment has brought this group of medications into palliative and supportive care of cancer patients. Psychostimulants have been studied and used in symptoms like cancer-related fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, depression and sedation. This review discusses the pharmacology of methylphenidate, amphetamine and pemoline and other psychostimulants like caffeine and the novel wake-promoting drug, modafinil. Studies evaluating use of these drugs in cancer patients have been reviewed.