Awan, S., & Wilcock, A. (2015). Nonopioid medication for the relief of refractory breathlessness. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, 9, 227–231.
STUDY PURPOSE: To review the current evidence regarding nonopioid medication for the treatment of refractory breathlessness
TYPE OF STUDY: General review/semisystematic review
PHASE OF CARE: Not specified or not applicable
APPLICATIONS: Palliative care
Medications included were benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, nebulized furosemide, and phenothiazines. No clear benefit of these medications was found. One study suggested positive results of nebulized furosemide in patients with COPD, but studies of patients with cancer did not show similar results.
Insufficient evidence exists to show the benefit of any of the specific medications reviewed in this article.
This review does not provide strong evidence for the positives effects of benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, phenothiazines, or nebulized furosemide on refractory dyspnea.