Purpose | Principles | How to Care for a Patient in Pain | Nutrition
Nausea and Vomiting | Constipation | Anxiety and Depression | Dyspnea
Fatigue | End-of-Life Decision-Making | Community Resources
How to Refer Patients | Communication | Links and References
| Drug |
Starting Dose |
Indication |
| Anxiety |
|
|
Xanax
(alprazolam) |
0.25 mg po bid-qid |
anxiety
insomnia |
Ativan
(lorazepam) |
0.5-1.0 mg po
sublingual prn 4-6 hr |
anxiety
insomnia |
Haldol
(haloperidol) |
1-3 mg po 6 hr prn |
anxiety
hallucination |
Thorazine
(chlorpromazine) |
10-25 mg po 4-6 hr prn |
hiccough
nausea
agitation |
BuSpar
(buspirone) |
5 mg tid |
anxiety |
Risperdal
(risperidone) |
0.5-1 mg po 12 hr |
agitation
hallucination |
Seroquel
(quetiapine fumarate) |
25-100 mg po bid |
anxiety
hallucination |
| Sleeping Pills |
|
|
Restoril
(temazepam) |
7.5-15 mg po prn |
sleeping medication |
Lunesta
(zaleplon) |
5-20 mg prn |
sleeping medication |
Ambien
(zolpidem) |
5-10 mg prn |
sleeping medication |
Sonata
(zaleplon) |
5-10 mg prn |
sleeping medication |
| Antidepressants |
|
|
Elavil
(amitriptyline) |
15-50 mg po at bedtime |
sleep disorder
neuropathic pain |
Aventyl Pamelor
(nortryptiline) |
25-50 mg at bedtime |
especially in elderly |
Desyrel
(trazodone) |
25-50 mg po hs or tid |
depression
anxiety |
Paxil
(paroxetine HCL) |
20 mg po in am |
depression
anxiety |
Zoloft
(sertraline HCL) |
50 mg po in am |
depression
anxiety |
Lexapro
(escitalopram oxalate) |
10 mg po in am
5 mg/5ml solution |
depression
anxiety |
Remeron
(mirtazpine) |
15 mg po at bedtime |
depression
anxiety
anorexia
appetite stimulant |
Cymbalta
(duloxetine) |
40-60 mg/d |
depression
neuropathy |
Helpful Hints
-
Avoid combining drugs in the same class
-
Consider regular use of anti-anxiety drugs if the prn dose works
-
Start with half doses for elderly patients; they may be susceptible to excessive drowsiness, uncoordination or dizziness
-
Select drugs that can treat a combination of symptoms
-
Therapeutic communication skills (active listening) validate feelings
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