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Are patients with advanced diseases capable of inhaling drugs by dry powder inhaler? Multicenter, open pilot study of patientssuffering from dyspnoea at rest
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Abstract
Background. In an exploratory, open multicenter study we investigated the inhaling capacity of patients with advanced diseases.
Material and methods. Patients included in the study suffered from mild to moderate breathlessness for whom no standard treatment was available and who may benefit from symptomatic treatment with inhaled morphine. An assessment of hearing the capsule rotation, a visual inspection of placebo capsule after inhalation and adverse event monitoring were performed.
Results. The results from the study indicated that 28/29 patients were capable of rotating the capsule and 27/29 of inhaling Placebocaps through the Cyclohaler. No adverse events occurred during the performance of the study.
Conclusion. It was concluded that breathless patients with advanced cancer or COPD appear to be able to use a dry powder inhaler. This method may provide a suitable technique in the symptomatic treatment of breathlessness.
Abstract
Background. In an exploratory, open multicenter study we investigated the inhaling capacity of patients with advanced diseases.
Material and methods. Patients included in the study suffered from mild to moderate breathlessness for whom no standard treatment was available and who may benefit from symptomatic treatment with inhaled morphine. An assessment of hearing the capsule rotation, a visual inspection of placebo capsule after inhalation and adverse event monitoring were performed.
Results. The results from the study indicated that 28/29 patients were capable of rotating the capsule and 27/29 of inhaling Placebocaps through the Cyclohaler. No adverse events occurred during the performance of the study.
Conclusion. It was concluded that breathless patients with advanced cancer or COPD appear to be able to use a dry powder inhaler. This method may provide a suitable technique in the symptomatic treatment of breathlessness.
Keywords
inhaled morphine; dry powder inhaler; dyspnoea; breathlessness
About this articleTitle
Are patients with advanced diseases capable of inhaling drugs by dry powder inhaler? Multicenter, open pilot study of patientssuffering from dyspnoea at rest
Journal
Advances in Palliative Medicine
Issue
Vol 5, No 4 (2006): Polish Palliative Medicine
Pages
162-166
Published online
2007-01-15
Page views
636
Article views/downloads
1111
Bibliographic record
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2006;5(4):162-166.
Keywords
inhaled morphine
dry powder inhaler
dyspnoea
breathlessness
Authors
Małgorzata Krajnik
Zbigniew Żylicz