Abstract
Methylphenidate improved opioid-induced somnolence and neurobehavioral disorder in 4 terminal cancer patients. All the patients had suffered from cancer pain and morphine-induced drowsiness, which limited further use of morphine. Small doses of methylphenidate (1) counteracted the morphine-induced daytime drowsiness and night-time awakening, (2) brought good analgesia owing to further use of morphine and (3) treated neurobehavioral disorders in eating, conversation, and walking. No severe adverse effects requiring discontinuation of methylphenidate were observed in our experience. Methylphenidate is effective for opioid-induced daytime somnolence and improves the quality of life in terminal cancer patient.
