Shortcuts November 2013
J Palliat Med. 2013 Jul;16(7):741-4
Allcroft P, Margitanovic V, Greene A, Agar MR, Clark K, Abernethy AP, Currow DC
This single site, open label pilot study assessed the safety and feasibility of adding regular clonazepam 0.5 mg nocte to regular oral 10 mg sustained release morphine sulphate mane in 11 people with COPD and intensity of breathlessness ≥2 on the modified Medical Research Council Scale. Ten people completed four days (the efficacy outcome), five of whom reached the 15% reduction target in their baseline breathlessness intensity and three went on to the 10 day extension study, none of whom had adverse events. In view of these preliminary safety findings and the common use of Benzodiazepines for this indication, the authors suggest that a larger controlled trial is warranted.
DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2012.0505
by Jason Boland