ScopolamIne butylbromide given prophylactical for death rattle, a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled study

Death rattle (DR), caused by mucus in the respiratory tract, occurs in about half of patients who are in the dying phase. Relatives often experience DR as distressing. Anticholinergics are recommended to treat DR, although there is no evidence for the effect of these drugs. Anticholinergic drugs decrease the production of mucus but do not affect existing mucus. We therefore hypothesize that these drugs are more effective when given prophylactic. The SILENCE study is a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study evaluating the efficacy of scopolamine butylbromide for DR.