Medicine for Hospice Patients

Medication is an integral component of the hospice process. Anyone under hospice care should be explained and informed about the various types of medications used.

American Integrative Pharmacy (AIP), led by Dr. Neema Yazdanpanah, provides safe and proven compounding medications to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas, and online nationwide.

Acetaminophen

National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently published a study claiming acetaminophen to be one of the most commonly prescribed medication in hospice setting. It also goes by the name of Tylenol and is useful for reducing pain and fever. It works towards temporarily relieving backache, headache, common cold, toothache, and pain.

Anticholinergics

Antispasmodic and anticholinergic drugs are useful for regulating relaxation and contraction of muscles. Benadryl falls in this category. Parkinson’s, muscle spasms, breathing problems, COPD, asthma, overactive bladder, diarrhea, gastrointestinal cramps, movement disorders, and other conditions require anticholinergics.

Antidepressant medications

NIH in the same study stated that antidepressants ranked 11 as the most commonly prescribed medications for hospice patients that suffered from lung diseases, cancer, and dementia. Antidepressants help in reliving symptoms of social anxiety disorder, depression, dysthymia, seasonal affective disorder, and mild chronic depression.

Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the two most common antidepressants. Zoloft and Prozac are commonly recognized antidepressant brands.

Anxiolytics

Anxiolytics are used for treating anxiety, itching, nausea, panic disorder, seizures, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, depression, insomnia, and vomiting. The medication has been listed as one of the most essential medications used in palliative care by the International Association of Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC).

Atropine drops

Atropine eye drops are used in hospice settings instead of injections to reduce saliva production and mucus secretion. Atropine is also useful in treating colitis, gastrointestinal spasms, certain heart disorders, diverticulitis, excessive stomach and acid production, IBS, Parkinson’s disease, peptic ulcers, and spastic bladder. In the NIH published study, atropine ranked number 4.

Haldol (also known as haloperidol)

Haldol is a popular antipsychotic drug used for treating delirium and terminal agitation. Haldol injections are not yet approved for treating dementia-related psychosis. You should also note that Haldol in some states is viewed as a chemical restraint drug. There are strict restrictions placed on it, especially when used at long-term care facilities.

Prochlorperazine

Prochlorperazine tablets and suppositories help in controlling severe vomiting and nausea. Prochlorperazine tablets can also be used for treating anxiety that cannot be controlled with the help of other medications, such as schizophrenia. The NIH study ranked Prochlorperazine tablets and suppositories as the sixth most in use in hospice settings.

Roxanol (Morphine Sulfate)

Morphine or Roxanol is an opioid drug. It is a narcotic analgesic which is used for controlling severe chronic or acute pain. Morphine is a common hospice medication used for treating pain. It is also the preferred drug for pain related to cancer. Another common use for morphine is treating shortness of breath.

AIP provides advanced compounding pharmacy solutions, including online prescription refills to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas, and online nationwide.

Contact Us For More Information about American Integrative Pharmacy’s Online Compound Prescriptions 

For more information on compound pharmacy medications available or to make an online prescription purchase, please click here or call Toll Free 1-855-247-7948.

American Integrative Pharmacy is located in Torrance, CA serving residents in and around Orange County, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Lomita and surrounding areas. Online prescription sales are available across the US.