title: Transdermal clonidine in patients with swallowing dysfunction.
abstract: Patients with swallowing dysfunction are usually very ill and have a constellation of challenging issues requiring palliation. Accumulation of oropharyngeal secretions leads to a substantial effort of medical teams including doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and ancillary staff. We present 10 patients successfully treated with application of transdermal clonidine film. It was well tolerated, provided quick control of secretions, and reduced staff labor. We suggest that transdermal clonidine can be used as antisialogogue in patients with swallowing dysfunction. Clonidine pharmacology is physiologic grounds for this clinical application.
authors.affiliation: New York Methodist Hospital , Brooklyn, New York.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goldenberg
authors.forename: Thayyullathil
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bharathan
authors.forename: Inna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shifrin
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013565:Sympatholytics; D003000:Clonidine