2022 Volume 29 Issue 6 Pages 119-122
We report a case of hypopharyngeal cancer with a background of type II respiratory failure, who suffered from severe respiratory depression after hydromorphone was administered. The patient is a 77-year-old man, who was diagnosed with hypopharyngeal cancer and its distant metastases to left cervical lymph node, left scapula, lung, and liver. He was admitted to the palliative care unit for the purpose of relieving pain and dyspnea. After the introduction of oral sustained-release hydromorphone tablet (4 mg/day), significant respiratory depression was observed. After improvement of respiratory condition, respiratory depression was not observed since we avoided using opioids. In terminal patients with complications such as respiratory failure and hepatic or renal disorder, the dosage and administration route of hydromorphone have to be well-considered based on the patient's general condition and drug-metabolizing ability.
