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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can The Medication Of Atropine Help Reduce Mucus Secretion?

My sister in law is presently in Cambridge Hospital with lung cancer that her doctor initially diagnosed as pneumonia. After going through different types of antibiotics and nothing worked she went to another doctor and was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and her right lung is now non-functional. Her health deteriorated so fast while at ICU where they are now suctioning her lungs and draining fluid from thoracentesis procedure. She s also in vancomycin drip. When she was admitted a week ago, she was talking a lot and now she could hardly open her eyes and she can t communicate which I think mainly due to the suctioning procedure through her throat and IV morphine. Her blood pressure dropped and the doctor decrease the morphine dose. Today foams were coming out from her mouth. I read about atropine and wondering if this will help her..to decrease mucus secretion (must be from pneumonia) and therefore decrease the frequency of fluid suctioning. Is there anything else that can help her at this stage?
Thu, 27 Feb 2020
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General Surgeon 's  Response
Hello,

Excess frothing and secretions can be part of many issues as:
- Endotracheal tubes
- Ventilator settings
- Inadequate or absent swallowing reflexes
- Hyper salivation as side effect of certain drugs
- Others

Atropine is a muscarinic antagonist and has anti cholinergic actions to reduce or prevent secretions. However, the benefits of the atropine in your sister in law's case needs to be discussed with her treating physician at best possible clinical co relation parameters.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel, General Surgeon
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Can The Medication Of Atropine Help Reduce Mucus Secretion?

Hello, Excess frothing and secretions can be part of many issues as: - Endotracheal tubes - Ventilator settings - Inadequate or absent swallowing reflexes - Hyper salivation as side effect of certain drugs - Others Atropine is a muscarinic antagonist and has anti cholinergic actions to reduce or prevent secretions. However, the benefits of the atropine in your sister in law s case needs to be discussed with her treating physician at best possible clinical co relation parameters. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel, General Surgeon