1. Psychotropic Medications in Palliative Care.
- Author
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Garcia, Carla, Lynn, Rachel, and Breitbart, William
- Subjects
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PSYCHIATRIC drugs , *PALLIATIVE treatment , *CHRONICALLY ill patient care , *TERMINAL care , *ANTIPSYCHOTIC agents , *BENZODIAZEPINES , *ANTIDEPRESSANTS - Abstract
Psychotropic medications have had significant roles in the management of a variety of symptoms in patients living with chronic medical illness and in patients at the end of life. Intuitively, this may make sense given the considerable overlap of psychological and somatic symptoms in this population. Several reviews of the use of specific agents exist in the literature. However, a brief overview of the most commonly used psychotropic drug classes in palliative care can be helpful for a primary care provider to have as a guide to their usefulness in this population. This article reviews the use of antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and psychostimulants/wakefulness agents for symptoms such as depressed mood, pain, nausea, palliative sedation, and delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009