Palliative and Supportive Care Prescribing Considerations Around QT Prolongation Risk in the Context of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Management

2020-09-22

Wong, Aaron B

Keith, Claire

Gregory, Heidi

Liew, David F L

COVID-19

QT/QTc prolongation

drug interactions

palliative care

symptom management

Journal Article

0000-0003-1284-9709

0000-0001-8451-8883

10.1080/15360288.2020.1814481

COVID-19 brings with it unprecedented challenges in clinical management. An important component of care is the provision of safe and effective symptom control. Given the emerging literature reporting on the risk of QT prolongation and arrhythmias associated with COVID-19 disease and experimental therapies, we highlight some considerations for the prescribing of palliative care medications in this context. Based on the experience gained from palliative care referrals at our institution prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in collaboration with our clinical pharmacology colleagues, we outline some general prescribing principles which may assist with weighing the risks and benefits of prescribing symptomatic medications in and beyond the current pandemic.

link

Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy 2020; online first: 22 September

Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy