Healthcare Traveler - February 2009 - (Page 39)

Solution approved for asthmatic children he FDA recently approved albuterol sulfate inhalation solution (ProAir HFA) for use in asthmatic children. The approval followed a three-week, randomized, double-blind study that showed two inhalations of 180-microgram albuterol sulfate, taken four times daily, yielded significant results in treating or preventing bronchospasm in patients ages 4 to 11. In the study, 21 of 50 albuterol-treated children achieved a 15% increase in forced expiratory volume per one minute within 30 minutes of dosing on the first day of the trial, and for some patients, the effect lasted as long as six hours. Adverse effects were similar to those found in adult and adolescent trials, including headache, tachycardia, musculoskeletal pain, dizziness, pharyngitis, and rhinitis. Medscape Today. “FDA Approvals: ProAir HFA and Nasacort AQ.” 2008. http://www.medscape. com/viewarticle/581416 (2 Oct. 2008). Pain Clinic Is there treatment of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction? T Y our patient has been in hospice care for the past two months for management of bone cancer. He is receiving high-dose morphine sulfate to manage his extensive bone pain. Unfortunately, as a result of the opioid medication, he’s having a major problem with constipation, despite diet and medication management. Are there any other alternatives? One consideration is a new peripheral mu-opioid antagonist called methylnaltrexone (Relistor). Methylnaltrexone provides for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced illness who are receiving palliative care when response to laxative therapy has not been sufficient. Dosage guidelines are: 8 mg subcutaneously every other day for a body weight of 38 to 62 kg, and 12 mg every other day for a weight of 63 to 114 kg. It is contraindicated when there is a mechanical bowel obstruction. Common side effects include abdominal cramping and flatulence. Moss, J., and Rosow, C. (2008). Development of peripheral opioid antagonists: new insights into opioid effects. Mayo Clin Proc, 83(10): 11161130. MARY SCHOLZ, RN, BSN, MS, PhD, is a nurse clinician and behavior medicine specialist at Northwest Psychophysiology, an affiliate of the Northwest Neuroscience Institute in Seattle. www.healthcaretraveler.com February 2009 Healthcare Traveler 39 http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/581416 http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/581416 http://www.itkbeauty.com/subscribe http://www.itkbeauty.com/subscribe http://www.healthcaretraveler.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Traveler - February 2009

Healthcare Traveler - February 2009 Editor’s Desk Contents In a Flash Paws for Thought Field Notes Med Ec-cerpts The Economic Meltdown What Really is a “Tax Home”? Beach Therapy Drug Update Professional Update Advice of Counsel Cityscape Advertisers’ Index Name It Contest Rules On Assignment Tax Facts Dot.com Big Deals Allied Corner Going the Distance Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - February 2009

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