Opioid-induced respiratory depression or oversedation risk assessment in hospitalized patients with cancer…

Cohort studyJournal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners· Aug 2026

Opioid-induced respiratory depression or oversedation risk assessment in hospitalized patients with cancer receiving palliative care.

Nancy Baballos, Levon S Shahnazarian, Larsa A Goro … Joseph D Ma

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Palliative & End-of-LifeCohort studyClinical practiceQ3IF 1.4

Opioid-induced respiratory depression/oversedation events were rare in hospitalized cancer patients on opioids in palliative care

Opioid-induced respiratory depression or oversedation risk assessment in hospitalized patients with cancer receiving palliative care.

Nancy Baballos … Joseph D Ma

Journal of oncology pharmacy practice · Aug 2026 · Q3 in General Medicine

Purpose

The Oversedation Risk Criteria (Oversedation Risk Criteria) is a prediction model that estimates prescription opioid-induced respiratory depression (opioid-induced respiratory depression) or oversedation risk in hospitalized patients.

Methods

This single-center, retrospective analysis included patients who were at least 18 years of age, diagnosed with cancer, currently taking an opioid, and completed an initial palliative care consultation from January 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023.

n = 649

0.8%

Results

0.8%

an oversedation event needing naloxone reversal was rare

n = 649

More results

The Oversedation Risk Criteria score (mean ± SD) was 10.6 ± 4.9, which correlated with moderate risk (n = 649).

The number of patients at low, moderate, and high-risk for an opioid-induced respiratory depression/oversedation event was 282 (43%), 356 (55%), and 11 (2%), respectively.

Concurrent sedation medication use was 80% (n = 517).

More results

One-hundred and sixty (25%) and 131 (20%) patients were on a benzodiazepine and a gabapentinoid.

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Conclusion

Patients with cancer on an opioid who received palliative care are at moderate opioid-induced respiratory depression/oversedation risk during their hospitalization.

Opioid-induced respiratory depression or oversedation risk assessment in hospitalized patients with cancer receiving palliative care.

Opioid-induced respiratory depression or oversedation risk assessment in hospitalized patients with cancer receiving palliative care.

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