TY - JOUR
T1 - Symptom control in cancer patients
T2 - The clinical pharmacology and therapeutic role of suppositories and rectal suspensions
AU - Davis, Mellar P.
AU - Walsh, Declan
AU - LeGrand, Susan B.
AU - Naughton, Michael
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - Rectally administered medications are essential in palliative medicine, particularly in the last days of life. They are underutilized. The pharmacology of rectally administered medications relates not only to the medication but also to the suppository base, additives, drug ionization, pKa, absorptive surface of the rectum, and rectal health. The pharmacokinetics may differ from those of orally administered medications owing to reduced hepatic first-pass clearance. In this review the pharmacology of rectally administered palliative medications is reviewed and the use of individual drugs is outlined.
AB - Rectally administered medications are essential in palliative medicine, particularly in the last days of life. They are underutilized. The pharmacology of rectally administered medications relates not only to the medication but also to the suppository base, additives, drug ionization, pKa, absorptive surface of the rectum, and rectal health. The pharmacokinetics may differ from those of orally administered medications owing to reduced hepatic first-pass clearance. In this review the pharmacology of rectally administered palliative medications is reviewed and the use of individual drugs is outlined.
KW - Bioavailability
KW - Pharmacokinetics
KW - Suppository
KW - Suspension
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036936556&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00520-001-0311-6
DO - 10.1007/s00520-001-0311-6
M3 - Review article
C2 - 11862502
AN - SCOPUS:0036936556
SN - 0941-4355
VL - 10
SP - 117
EP - 138
JO - Supportive Care in Cancer
JF - Supportive Care in Cancer
IS - 2
ER -