Table 3.
Reduced drugs and improved adverse drug reactions due to pharmacist interventions for cancer patients who used opioids
| n | (%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacological categories of drugs reduced by pharmacist recommendations | |||
| Antiemetics | 161 | (44.8) | |
| Gastrointestinal medications | 141 | (39.3) | |
| Hypnotic sedatives | 103 | (28.7) | |
| Analgesics | 102 | (28.4) | |
| Laxatives | 72 | (20.1) | |
| Antipsychotics | 51 | (14.2) | |
| Other | 43 | (12.0) | |
| Reduced drugs in each pharmacological category (multiple answers from options) | |||
| Antiemetics | Dopamine receptor antagonists | 119 | (33.1) |
| Prokinetic agents | 79 | (22.0) | |
| Antihistaminic agents | 20 | (5.6) | |
| Other | 2 | (0.6) | |
| Gastrointestinal medications | Histamine H2 receptor blockers | 69 | (19.2) |
| Proton pump inhibitors | 48 | (13.4) | |
| Gastric antacids | 37 | (10.3) | |
| Prostaglandin analogs | 16 | (4.5) | |
| Other | 30 | (8.4) | |
| Hypnotic sedatives | Benzodiazepines | 103 | (28.7) |
| Non-benzodiazepines | 31 | (8.6) | |
| Analgesics | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs | 60 | (16.7) |
| Analgesic adjuvants | 40 | (11.1) | |
| Opioids | 32 | (8.9) | |
| Acetaminophen | 22 | (6.1) | |
| Laxatives | Salt-based laxative | 49 | (13.6) |
| Peroral stimulative laxatives | 25 | (7.0) | |
| Enema clysters | 6 | (1.7) | |
| Small intestine irritant laxative | 3 | (0.8) | |
| Other | 3 | (0.8) | |
| Antipsychotics | Typical antipsychotics | 51 | (14.2) |
| Atypical antipsychotics | 32 | (8.9) | |
| Others | Hypertensives | 14 | (3.9) |
| Vitamins | 8 | (2.2) | |
| Antidiabetics | 5 | (1.4) | |
| Chinese herbal medicine | 4 | (1.1) | |
| Medication for intestinal disorders | 4 | (1.1) | |
| Drugs to facilitate urination via the bladder | 4 | (1.1) | |
| Drugs for high cholesterol | 4 | (1.1) | |
| Cardiovascular drugs | 2 | (0.6) | |
| Cold medicines | 2 | (0.6) | |
| Anticoagulants | 2 | (0.6) | |
| Steroids | 2 | (0.6) | |
| External medicine | 2 | (0.6) | |
| Antihyperuricemics | 2 | (0.6) | |
| Diuretics | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Antibiotics | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Antiasthmatic drugs | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Antiepileptic drugs | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Antidementia drugs | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Antivirals | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Anticancer drugs | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Infusion fluid | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Other | 2 | (0.6) | |
| Symptoms improved due to pharmacist interventions (free multiple answers) | |||
| Extrapyramidal symptoms | 100 | (27.9) | |
| Delirium | 49 | (13.6) | |
| Sleepiness | 36 | (10.0) | |
| Constipation | 20 | (5.6) | |
| Renal dysfunction | 18 | (5.0) | |
| Dizziness | 16 | (4.5) | |
| Nausea and vomiting | 14 | (3.9) | |
| Electrolyte abnormalities | 11 | (3.1) | |
| Sleep disorders | 7 | (1.9) | |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | 7 | (1.9) | |
| Hypotension | 6 | (1.7) | |
| Liver dysfunction | 4 | (1.1) | |
| Hypoglycemia | 3 | (0.8) | |
| Bleeding | 3 | (0.8) | |
| Myasthenia gravis | 2 | (0.6) | |
| Edema | 2 | (0.6) | |
| Tiredness | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Dehydration | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Disturbance of consciousness | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Dysuria | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Leukopenia | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Aspiration | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Sedation | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Stomatitis | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Hyperglycemia | 1 | (0.3) | |
| Respiratory depression | 2 | (0.6) | |