FDA approves 2mg naloxone nasal spray

29th December 2016

A 2mg naloxone nasal spray (Narcan; Adapt Pharma) has been approved in the USA. It is approved for use in opioid-dependent patients, expected to be at risk for severe opioid withdrawal, in situations where there is a low risk for accidental or intentional opioid exposure by household contacts.

A 4mg naloxone nasal spray (Narcan; Adapt Pharma) has been available since February 2016 (see our news item 26-11-2016).

The US Product Information for both the 2mg and 4mg naloxone nasal spray can be downloaded from here. 

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Gabapentin oral solution and enteral feeding tubes

20th December 2016

The SPC for Gabapentin Rosemont 50mg/mL oral solution (Rosemont Pharmaceuticals) has been updated to include information about administration via nasogastric and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tubes. Section 6.6 of the SPC contains information on the specific type of tubes suitable for use (including the material, bore size, internal diameter and maximum length) and the procedure to be followed when administering the oral solution via these routes.

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Cochrane review: fentanyl for neuropathic pain

15th December 2016

The authors concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the suggestion that fentanyl has any efficacy in any neuropathic pain condition (CD011605).

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Cochrane review: hydromorphone for cancer pain

15th December 2016

The authors found a lack of evidence to support a preference for hydromorphone over other opioid analgesics such as morphine and oxycodone. The treatment effect of hydromorphone appeared to be similar to that of the comparator drugs for adults with moderate to severe cancer pain, However, most of the outcome data were based on single randomised controlled trials with a small sample size (CD011108).

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Cochrane review: benzodiazepines for the relief of breathlessness in advanced malignant and non-malignant diseases

15th December 2016

This updated review (CD007354) confirmed the previous conclusions:

• there is no evidence for a beneficial effect of benzodiazepines in the relief of breathlessness in people with advanced cancer and COPD. There is a non-significant beneficial effect, but the overall effect size is small. Benzodiazepines caused more drowsiness as an adverse effect compared to placebo but less compared to morphine. These results justify considering benzodiazepines as second- or third-line treatment, when opioids and non-pharmacological measures have failed to control breathlessness
• there is currently not enough evidence to support the use of benzodiazepines in the prevention of episodic breathlessness in people with cancer. There are no data from controlled trials for the treatment of episodic breathlessness with benzodiazepines
• there are no differences regarding the type of benzodiazepine, dose, route and frequency of administration, and duration of treatment.

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End of life care for infants, children and young people with life-limiting conditions: planning and management

7th December 2016

This NICE guideline (NG61) has now been published in full on-line.

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Calling all members - please complete our satisfaction survey!

6th December 2016

We would like to encourage all members to complete our annual website satisfaction survey to enable us to help shape the way that palliativedrugs.com develops over the next 3 years. We are keen to receive as many responses and specific comments as possible. We currently have over 34,000 members but have only received 70 replies. Thus, because of the low response rate, we have extended the deadline on the survey so that we have a minimum of 100 responses.

By way of thanks, five members picked at random will receive a free copy of Introducing Palliative Care 5^th edition (IPC5). Please log in and access the survey from our home page.

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