Waikato DHB Palliative Care Guidelines

11. Sweating

Exclude infection and treat if appropriate.

A common symptom of some active cancers e.g. lymphoma.

Can accompany metastatic disease e.g. liver metastases, carcinoid.

Return to Palliative Care Guidelines index
Print this page

Pain and fear can exacerbate the problem.

Drugs can be the cause e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol.

Ensure room well ventilated or use a fan

Reassurance

Some relief can be gained with the following:

Panadol
Propanolol
Steroids e.g. prednisone 40-60mg/ day.
Cimetidine 400mg nocte or bd.
NSAIDs e.g. diclofenac SR 100mg nocte, naproxen250-500mg bd.
If distress present we Suggest Palliative Care Service Referral.

Note: You may need to try more then one strategy (try for a couple of days)

Information last reviewed: June 2009	Please foward any enquiries about this document to haggars@waikatodhb.govt.nz
Next review date: July 2010	For Palliative Care advice, please call 8691 or the specialist on-call.

Return to Palliative Care Guidelines index