raised i/c pressure in palliative care
Last edited 08/2020 and last reviewed 08/2023
Seek Expert advice.
The main symptoms are nausea, vomiting and headache. Avoid lying the patient flat which exacerbates the pressure.
- Cyclizine - first line for nausea and vomiting due to raised intracranial pressure: stat dose 50mg oral/s.c. total dose 100-150mg oral/s.c. over 24 hours
- Dexamethasone may be added to reduce symptoms due to brain oedema - dose 6-16 mg per day
- for possible alternative treatments, seek advice
Radiotherapy of the head or neck may cause similar symptoms.
Reference:
- West Midlands Palliative Care Physicians (2012). Palliative care - guidelines for the use of drugs in symptom control.