An Observational Study of Insomnia and Nightmare Treated With Trazodone in Patients With Advanced Cancer

Patients with cancer often experience insomnia. Nightmares are also a strong factor that interferes with the maintenance of comfortable and satisfying sleep. However, the prevalence and standard treatment of nightmares in patients with cancer have not been established yet. We aimed to treat insomnia...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of hospice & palliative medicine 2013-06, Vol.30 (4), p.359-362
Main Authors: Tanimukai, Hitoshi, Murai, Tasuku, Okazaki, Namiko, Matsuda, Yoichi, Okamoto, Yoshiaki, Kabeshita, Yasunobu, Ohno, Yumiko, Tsuneto, Satoru
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation - administration & dosage
Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation - therapeutic use
Dreams - drug effects
Female
Humans
Hypnotics and Sedatives - administration & dosage
Hypnotics and Sedatives - therapeutic use
Japan
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasms - complications
Neoplasms - drug therapy
Nursing
Observation
Palliative Care - methods
Sleep - drug effects
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders - drug therapy
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders - etiology
Trazodone - administration & dosage
Trazodone - therapeutic use
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Patients with cancer often experience insomnia. Nightmares are also a strong factor that interferes with the maintenance of comfortable and satisfying sleep. However, the prevalence and standard treatment of nightmares in patients with cancer have not been established yet. We aimed to treat insomnia and nightmares with trazodone. From 2008 to 2011, trazodone was prescribed to 30 patients with cancer who reported experiencing insomnia with or without nightmares to the palliative care team in Osaka University Hospital. Effective treatment was seen in 15 patients (50%). Four patients with cancer reported having severe nightmares and 2 patients had beneficial effects, with frightening dreams transformed into acceptable ones. Trazodone may be an effective drug for the treatment of insomnia and nightmares in patients with advanced cancer.
ISSN:1049-9091
1938-2715
DOI:10.1177/1049909112452334