Welcome to the home of Palliative Care Fast Facts and Concepts—originally published by EPERC since 2000. Fast Facts are edited by Sean Marks, MD; Associate Professor of Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Background Patients referred to palliative care services often have between 3 and 7 distressing symptoms and may require multiple medications for effective symptom reduction (1). Due to its effects on multiple receptors, mirtazapine has the potential to target several common symptoms in serious illness with one medication. This Fast Fact provides

This Fast Fact will address the natural history and illness trajectory of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). See Fast Fact #362 for information on palliation strategies of non-motor symptoms associated with PD.

Background This Fast Fact reviews prognostication data in Heart Failure (HF). Although the Framingham Heart Study (1990-1999) showed a 5-year mortality rate of 50% for newly identified cases, providing accurate prognostic data for 6-12 month mortality in …

Background for FF #20 A common question from trainees is “How fast, and by how much, can opioids be safely dose escalated in terminally ill patients?” Consider the analogy of furosemide (Lasix) when discussing this topic.

Systemic opioids have been predominantly utilized for wound-related pain, however, for many patients, dose-limiting side effects can hinder their effectiveness. This Fast Fact will discuss topical options for acute and chronic wound pain. See Fast Facts #46 &

Background for Fast Fact #142 Opioid-induced hyperalgesia is a clinical phenomenon, characterized by increasing in pain in patients who are receiving increasing doses of opioids. This Fast Fact reviews the clinical findings and treatment options.

This Fast Facts discusses pharmacologic management strategies for patients with ALS; see Fast Fact #300 for non-pharmacologic management strategies and Fast Fact #299 for management of sialorrhea specifically.

Background This Fast Fact addresses analgesic management for patients taking buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD). Buprenorphine is a mixed opioid agonist/antagonist, available in the United States in the sublingual form as ‘Subutex,’ and formulated with naloxone as ‘Suboxone’ (and other brand names).

Background: This Fast Fact reviews available published evidence and expert opinion regarding prognostication for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an incurable, progressive neurodegenerative disease. See Fast Facts #73, 299, 300, …