For more information, contact Ellen Wilcox 301-657-3000, ext. 1224, [email protected]
NEW GUIDELINES ADVISE BEST TREATMENTS FOR NAUSEA AND VOMITING IN CANCER AND SURGERY PATIENTS
Health professionals have a new resource to help treat and prevent the crippling nausea and vomiting that can afflict both patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer and patients who have had surgery. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) recently published guidelines designed to help physicians choose the medication that will be most effective for each patient, according to the patient's specific risk factors.
ASHP's guidelines, developed on the basis of evidence in medical literature and reviewed by a variety of health professionals including physicians, pharmacists, and nurses, are the first comprehensive resource to help clinicians select appropriate medications for this problem. The guidelines, featured in the April 15 American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, encompass all available treatment options, including recently approved medications, and recommend which factors to consider in prescribing, such as patient age, sex, and medical history, as well as chemotherapy drug, dose, and infusion rate.
Ongoing uncertainties among clinicians over which treatment is best under different circumstances has meant that many patients suffer needlessly with nausea and vomiting, resulting in sometimes life- threatening effects such as dehydration, malnutrition, metabolic disturbances, and aspiration pneumonia.
Studies have shown that nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy can dramatically affect quality of life, making it difficult for patients to return to work, complete household tasks, care for themselves, or take their prescribed medications. Patients rate nausea as the most distressing adverse effect associated with receiving chemotherapy, followed by fatigue and hair loss. Inadequate control of nausea may lead some patients to discontinue potentially curative therapies.
To receive a copy of ASHP's nausea guidelines, contact Ellen Wilcox at (301) 657-3000, ext. 1224, or by e-mail at [email protected].
ASHP is the 30,000-member national professional association that represents pharmacists who practice in hospitals, health maintenance organizations, long-term care facilities, home care, and other components of health care systems. ASHP believes that the mission of pharmacists is to help people make the best use of medications. Assisting pharmacists in fulfilling this mission is ASHP's primary objective. The Society has extensive publishing and educational programs designed to help members improve their delivery of pharmaceutical care, and it is the national accrediting organization for pharmacy residency and pharmacy technician training programs.
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