Center to Advance Palliative Care

For Patients and Families
Partner
Sponsor
 
  Print this page
Views

CAPC Palliative Care Discussion Forum
Palliative Care and the ICU

In Reply To: Use of Fentanyl and Versed drips in withdrawal
Previous Message: Re:Use of Fentanyl and Versed drips in withdrawal
Next Message: Re:Use of Fentanyl and Versed drips in withdrawal

Post Re:Use of Fentanyl and Versed drips in withdrawal
Author: ehargus
Date: Jun 18, 2009 1:52 pm
One must always keep clear that narcotics (ie. fentanyl or any narcotic for that matter) have two indications----pain and dyspnea. Narcotic usage is not meant to depress the respiratory system. In the conscious patient one can usually sort out the indication for narcotics. In the unconscious patient who is not paralyzed one can usually suspect respiratory difficulty by the pattern of the breathing (ie struggling to take breaths would be presumed dyspnea) and therefore can be so used. Making sure the patient is not paralyzed is absolutely necessary.

Versed or other anxiolytics can and should also be used. Tolerance to versed can be a problem for those on it for significant lengths of time though.
This message has no replies yet.

IMPORTANT: In order to post a new message or reply to an existing post in the discussion you must login. If you are not a registered member you may join here.
The statements posted in the forum section of capc.org are opinions expressed by website visitors and do not necessarily represent the viewpoints or positions of the Center to Advance Palliative Care(CAPC). CAPC is not responsible for the factual or legal accuracy of any of the statements posted.


General questions about using the CAPCconnect™ palliative care discussion forum? EmailPatricia.Caines@mssm.edu

Lost login username/password questions? Email: Margaret.Schutz@mssm.edu