Nebulized fentanyl for palliation of dyspnea in a cystic fibrosis patient.
Dyspnea, the subjective symptom feeling of breathlessness, is a common symptom in terminally ill patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The palliation of the dyspnea is a reasonable goal to improve patient comfort as the progression of the disease worsens. We report the successful use of inhaled fentanyl for 3 days in a 17-year-old female with terminal CF lung disease, as measured by improved oxygenation and a reduction in the modified Borg score, and the subjective feeling of less air hunger reported by parents and patient.
Graff
Gavin R
GR
Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, USA. ggraff@psu.edu
Stark
James M
JM
Grueber
Ryan
R
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005283:Fentanyl