Reviewer: Leah D Ward, MSN, MA, A-GNP-C, ACHPN (Connecticut Hospice and Palliative Care Organization)
Description: This book covers dosing information, generic and brand names, indications, contraindications and cautions, adverse effects, and drug interactions relevant to palliative care. This third edition updates the previous version, published in 2012, with newer research and evidence-based practice recommendations.
Purpose: The purpose of the book is to educate those who care for patients at the end of their life on the palliative management of chronic illness. The objectives are worthy, and the book is beneficial in explaining the drugs needed for palliative management or end of life care. The book meets its objectives by exploring end of life considerations, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, interactions, and cautions.
Audience: According to the author, the book is written for a wide range of medical specialists who care for those with serious illness or who are dying. It will also be helpful for pharmacy students with an interest in palliative care, palliative researchers, professors, health policy entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the care of those approaching end of life or with the symptom burden of chronic disease.
Features: The book includes added explanations on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and dose adjustments needed for special populations, such as older adults or those with renal and hepatic impairments, as well as basic pharmacology. The chapter on pharmacokinetics includes a figure that explains the variations in metabolism that influence dosing. Boxes emphasize key takeaways such as first pass metabolism and basic genetic concepts, with additional sections on hepatic impairment, renal impairment, and drug interactions. The table of contents section is helpful in explaining symbols and abbreviations.
Assessment: This book is of good quality, but should consider the goals of care for comfort, function, or longevity, as well as lab monitoring guidance, in future editions. Unlike Symptom Management Algorithms: A Handbook for Palliative Care, 4th Edition, Wrede-Seaman (Intellicard, 2019), it does not arrange drugs by symptom, which is useful for managing difficult symptoms and could be helpful in future editions. As the previous version of this book was published in 2012, and research in palliative pharmacology is ongoing, this new edition is necessary.
