J Pain Symptom Manage. 2003 Nov;26(5):1049-54.

The effect of donepezil on sedation and other symptoms in patients receiving opioids for cancer pain: a pilot study.
Bruera E, Strasser F, Shen L, Palmer JL, Willey J, Driver LC, Burton AW.

Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.

Opioid-induced sedation is a major complication in patients with cancer pain. This study assessed the effectiveness of donepezil in opioid-induced sedation and related symptoms in patients with cancer pain. Twenty-seven patients who were receiving strong opioids for pain and reported sedation were enrolled. Donepezil 5 mg was given every morning for 7 days. Changes between baseline and Day 7 in sedation, pain, fatigue and other symptoms were evaluated using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Fatigue was also measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue). Overall usefulness of donepezil was measured by the patient at the end of the study. In 20 evaluable patients, sedation, fatigue, anxiety, well-being, depression, anorexia and problems with sleep were significantly improved. Side effects included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle and abdominal cramps, and anorexia. Overall, however, the treatment was well tolerated. Donepezil appears to improve sedation and fatigue in patients receiving opioids for cancer pain. Randomized controlled trials of this agent are justified.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial

PMID: 14585555 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]