[calliesue]

I have a question about roxanol. I am new to hospice and was orientating on a continuous care case. The rn who came out to do the 24 hr visit told me and the other lvn there that roxanol is only effective/ absorbed in the stomach . This is contrary to what I have always been taught, Called pharmacist later who said that was not correct.
Any one have any insight to offer? Is there new research or findings about roxanol?

[tencat]

Hmmm....not that I know of. The directions from our pharmacy indicate that it can be absorbed through the mucous membranes, so if it's placed under the tongue or in the cheek it can still be absorbed.

[earle58]

roxanol is given either po or sl.
these nurses need to refresh their knowledge base.

leslie

[shrinky]

I agree that it is absorbed through sub lingual use as well as oral, only through my experiences with using it for so many years and seeing the effects of using it in patients who cannot swallow. Our pharmacist would also agree with me.

[aimeee]

Yes, it is absorbed through the mucous membrane...that's the whole point of using it after the patient can no longer swallow medications.

[calliesue]

Thanks everyone. This is what I thought too. I just wondered if there was some little known study or something that backed up her position.

I figured this was the place to come to get good info.

[NurseAlwaysNForever]

Roxanol, non sugar based can also be used as a neb to relax the lining of the lungs and decrease respiratory discomfort. It can be mixed with Albuterol, Atrovent, combination of the two, Xopenex, or plain old Saline. Works very well.