Comparison Between Mirtazapine and Megestrol for the Control of Anorexia-cachexia in Cancer Patients in Palliative Care.
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
2021-12-30
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Cancer-associated anorexia-cachexia is an insidious syndrome that has a major impact on the
patient's quality of life, but is also associated with a significant reduction in survival.
Despite its clinical importance, it remains a widely underestimated and untreated condition.
Considering the scarcity of pharmacological measures, it is necessary to invest in studies
that may contribute to the rational and effective treatment of this clinical condition.
Mirtazapine has a special therapeutic potential because it is a well-tolerated drug with few
adverse effects and with well-known orexigenic action in clinical practice.The objective of
this study is to evaluate the effect of mirtazapine as a pharmacological measure in the
management of cancer-related anorexia-cachexia in patients in palliative care. A randomized,
double-blind clinical trial involving 40 cancer patients with anorexia-cachexia in palliative
care will be conducted. Patients will be randomized to receive mirtazapine or megestrol and
will be evaluated longitudinally for a period of 8 weeks. The primary endpoint will be to
assess the effect of mirtazapine on anorexia and weight gain and secondary outcomes will be
to assess the tolerability and safety of mirtazapine and the effect of mirtazapine on body
composition, quality of life, and functional capacity of patients.