Cohn, M. L., Machado A.F., Bier, R., & Marthe C. Piroxicam and Doxepin-An Alternative to Narcotic Analgesics in Managing Advanced Cancer Pain. West J Med 1988 Mar; 148:303-306)
This article is about a research which was conducted to determine the effectiveness of Piroxicam and Doxepin when used as an alternative to the Narcotic Analgesia in the management of advanced cancer pain.
Research Question
Does Piroxicam and Doxepin effectively relief pain when used as an alternative treatment to narcotic analgesia in the management of advanced cancer pain?
Research Hypothesis
The research hypothesis stated that treatment with a nonnarcotic drug regimen which consisted of the long- acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Piroxicam when combined with the tricylic-antidepressant doxepin hydrochloride usually provides pain relief and ends up increasing a sense of general well-being.
Quantitative Design
The Quantitative design used in this research was Experimental research design
Major finding and its limitation
The research found out that causes of patient pain were diverse and depended on their tumor types. It was also found out that the average survival was 6.17 months with a range of 2 to 16.5 months. Out of 30 patients who took part in the research, 7 ended up dying even though they were under piroxicam and doxepin therapy. An addition of 17 patients who continued with the therapy and as the disease progressed they required supplemental narcotic on a daily basis. The other six patients abandoned the using piroxicm due to the complications associated with the therapy.
Sample size
This research used a total of 30 patients who presented with malignant and historically well-defined tumors and put on treatment. They consisted of 14 men and 16 women.
Conclusion
This research concluded that Piroxicam and Doxepin therapy is effective especially when used as an alternative to management with narcotic and analgesic despite of the severity, duration as well as the origin of pain. This therapy has been proved to be very effective to those patients who do not respond to narcotic analgesics.
Work Cited
Cohn, M. L., Machado A.F., Bier, R., & Marthe C. Piroxicam and Doxepin-An Alternative to Narcotic Analgesics in Managing Advanced Cancer Pain. West J Med 1988 Mar; 148:303-306)
