Animal-Assisted Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy is a recognized complementary therapeutic approach using animals to increase patients’ psychological and physical well-being. Animals involved are trained and certified, and animal-assisted therapy has been used to assist in physical rehabilitation, management of pain, and in long-term care settings, as well as other applications. In patients with cancer, evaluation of animal-assisted therapy was conducted related to management of fatigue.
Anesthetics--Systemic
Systemic anesthetic administration refers to the intravenous or oral administration of an anesthetic agent. The systemic administration of lidocaine by intravenous infusion and its oral analog mexiletine were examined for their effectiveness in the management of chronic neuropathic pain. Anesthetic infusion also has been studied for the management of acute and refractory pain.
Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that research has identified as being useful for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy symptoms and neuropathic pain. For the non-cancer population, it has been used as a treatment for eating disorders and migraine headaches. Amitriptyline is available as a tablet to take by mouth.
Amifostine
Amifostine is a cytoprotective agent that can protect DNA and RNA from damage from chemotherapeutic agents that involve binding to DNA, such as platinum containing alkylating agents. It may also accelerate DNA repair and protect cells against harmful effects of radiation treatment. Amifostine is administered intravenously. Amifostine has been studied for its effects on diarrhea, mucositis, and peripheral neuropathy.
Amidotrizoate
Amidotrizoate, a hyperosmolar water-soluble contrast medium, is an anionic, bitter-flavored mixture. Amidotrizoate was examined for its effect as a potential osmotic laxative.
Ama Deus Energy Healing
Energy healing is a system to stimulate and catalyze healing processes by using the hands. The Ama Deus system incorporates ceremony, sacred symbols, and more of a spiritual and symbol-driven set of components than other systems of energy healing.
Alvimopan
Alvimopan is a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor (PAM-OR) antagonist that has been studied for the treatment of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction. Alvimopan counteracts the effects of opioids on gastrointestinal motility and secretion. The drug is available as a capsule to take by mouth and has been evaluated in opioid-induced constipation.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that has been examined for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Oral alpha-lipoic acid was studied for its effect on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a fleshy green cactus plant. A gel made from the plant is used as a complementary therapy for dry skin, cuts, and burns. Aloe vera gel may provide a protective effect on skin with increasing cumulative uses. It is described as having anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It may reduce vasoconstriction as well as leukocyte and platelet aggregation at the site of injury.
Allopurinol Mouthwash
Allopurinol is a medication that is primarily used to treat gout and reduce uric acid levels. It prevents uric acid production by blocking activity of an enzyme that converts purines to uric acid. Allopurinol is an antagonist of some chemotherapeutic agents, and, as such, may reduce some effects. Allopurinol mouthwash has been evaluated in patients with cancer for its potential local effects in the prevention and management of mucositis.