Adverse event: Diarrhea - General Guidelines by Pfizer

Adverse event

Description

General guidelines

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is an abnormal increase in stool liquidity

and frequency (4 to 6 stools or more per day

over baseline) with or without nocturnal bowel

movements and/or moderate abdominal

cramping. Diarrhea is a common side effect of

many cancer regimens. It can cause depletion of

fluids and electrolytes, malnutrition, dehydration,

and hospitalization and therefore can interfere

with cancer treatment, causing dosing delays or

reductions.

1

Patient education strategies

•

Emphasize the importance of maximizing oral

hydration strategies to avoid dehydration and

electrolyte imbalances

2

•

Educate patients about the likelihood that diarrhea

will develop

3-5

Management tips for patients

•

Diarrhea may be managed through diet as well

as pharmacologic treatment when necessary,

based on the clinical judgment of the treating

healthcare provider (HCP).

1,3,4

The first step in

treatment is dietary management

3,5,6

:

–

Yogurt containing probiotics

–

Soluble fiber

–

Small but frequent meals

–

Fluids, such as water, diluted cranberry juice,

broth, decaffeinated tea or coffee

•

Over-the-counter and Rx agents may also be

used, according to labeling

1,3,4

Hypertension

Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood

pressure (BP). In general, hypertension is repeated

BP elevation exceeding 140 mm Hg systolic blood

pressure (SBP) and 90 mm Hg diastolic blood

pressure (DBP).

7

Hypertension is a commonly

reported AE in cancer patients receiving antivascular

endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs.

8

Patient education strategies

•

Take antihypertensive medications as prescribed

4

•

Recognize signs of potentially dangerous

high BP (eg, severe headache, shortness of

breath, nosebleeds)

9

•

Follow healthy lifestyle choices: regular exercise,

weight control, moderate alcohol consumption,

sodium restriction

4

Tips to help manage diarrhea and fatigue during advanced Renal Cell Cancer treatment

-----------------------------------------------------(From Medlinx) -----------------

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is an abnormal increase in stool liquidity and frequency (4 to 6 stools or more per day over baseline) with or without nocturnal bowel movements and/or moderate abdominal cramping. Diarrhea, a common side effect of many cancer regimens, can cause depletion of fluids and electrolytes, malnutrition, dehydration, and hospitalization, and therefore can interfere with cancer treatment, causing dosing delays or reductions.1

Patient education strategies

• Emphasize the importance of maximizing oral hydration strategies to avoid dehydration and electrolyte imbalances2
• Educate patients about the likelihood that diarrhea will develop3-5

Management tips for patients

• Diarrhea may be managed through diet as well as pharmacologic treatment when necessary, based on the clinical judgment of the treating healthcare provider (HCP).1,3,4 The first step in treatment is dietary management3,5,6:
  • Yogurt containing probiotics
  • Soluble fiber
  • Small but frequent meals
  • Fluids, such as water, diluted cranberry juice, broth, decaffeinated tea or coffee
• Over-the-counter and Rx agents may also be used, according to labeling1,3,4

 

Fatigue/asthenia

Fatigue/asthenia is a distressing, persistent, subjective sense of physical, emotional, and/or cognitive tiredness or exhaustion, related to cancer or cancer treatment, that is not proportional to recent activity and interferes with usual functioning.7

Patient education strategies7,8

• Encourage patients to:
  • Take short naps and breaks instead of long ones
  • Eat well and drink plenty of fluids
  • Take short walks and/or do light exercise
  • Do relaxing activities as a distraction (eg, listening to music or reading)

Management tips for patients

• Stay as active as possible9
• Maintain normal work and social schedules9
• Take breaks as needed9
• Report all medications to your HCP, including over-the-counter, herbal, and vitamin supplements7,10