Psychotropic drugs in terminal care.
Respiratory patients require psychotropic drug administration to treat pain, cough and respiratory distress or to treat insomnia, anxiety, depression or psychosis. Terminal patients require thoughtful and compassionate use of these drugs, even when there is an expectation that such therapy may lead to an earlier death. Most psychotropic agents can be used safely in patients with respiratory disease, and careful use of selected drugs should always be employed if indicated for treating distressful conditions that may be benefitted. Guidelines to appropriate choices and doses are provided.
Ziment
I
I
Dept of Medicine, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, UCLA School of Medicine 91342, USA.
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013727:Terminal Care
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs