Intranasal Fentanyl Versus Placebo for Treatment of Episodic Breathlessness in Hospice Patients With Advanced Nonmalignant Diseases.

Context: Episodic breathlessness is a distressing and difficult to treat symptom because of its short duration. Fast actioned intranasal fentanyl (INF) is potentially more suitable than oral opioids.

Objectives: To examine the feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and safety of INF for the treatment of episodic breathlessness from advanced nonmalignant conditions in hospice patients.