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Doxepin Solution for Alleviation of Stubborn Breakthrough Pain Induced by Swallowing in Patients Receiving Radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Swallowing-induced Pain
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT06017895
Lead Sponsor
Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to explore the effectiveness and adverse reactions of doxepin solution spray for alleviation of stubborn breakthrough pain induced by swallowing in patients receiving radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Detailed Description

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving radical radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy who developed oral mucositis and had a swallowing-induced pain score ≥ 4 were recruited and randomly assigned 1:1 to the experimental group and the control group.

Patients in the experimental group received a doxepin solution spray to the posterior pharyngeal wall 10 minutes before eating. At least 12 hours later, when the swallowing-induced pain score ≥4, a placebo spray was administered to the posterior pharyngeal wall 10 minutes before eating.

Patients in the control group received a placebo spray to the posterior pharyngeal wall 10 minutes before eating. At least 12 hours later, when the swallowing-induced pain score ≥4, a doxepin solution spray was administered to the posterior pharyngeal wall 10 minutes before eating.

The swallowing-induced pain and incidence of adverse events were assessed at 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1 hour after medication using a patient-reported questionnaire, and safety evaluation was conducted 1 day after treatment.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
178
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Provide informed written consent.
  2. Age ≥ 18 years.
  3. Histologically confirmed as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and currently undergoing radical radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.
  4. Physical examination demonstrating the presence of radiation-induced mucositis in the oral cavity and/or oropharynx.
  5. At least 4 (out of 10) patient-reported swallowing-induced pain as measured by the numeric rating scale of pain.
  6. Being able to complete the questionnaires independently or with assistance.
  7. ECOG Performance Status 0, 1 or 2.
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Known allergy to doxepin, tricyclic antidepressants, or any known component of the drug formulation.
  2. Use of a tricyclic antidepressant or monoamine oxidase inhibitor within 14 days prior to registration.
  3. Current untreated or unhealed oral candidiasis or oral herpes simplex virus infection.
  4. Untreated narrow angle glaucoma within 6 weeks prior to registration.
  5. Untreated urinary retention within 6 weeks prior to registration.
  6. Administration of cryotherapy to prevent oral mucositis within 6 weeks prior to registration.
  7. Current serious heart disease or a recent history of myocardial infarction.
  8. Current untreated or unresolved conditions like epilepsy, hyperthyroidism, hepatic dysfunction, delirium, and neutropenia.
  9. Pregnant or lactating women.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
doxepin solutiondoxepin solutionPatients received a doxepin solution spray to the posterior pharyngeal wall 10 minutes before eating. At least 12 hours later, when the swallowing-induced pain score ≥4, a placebo spray was administered to the posterior pharyngeal wall 10 minutes before eating.
placeboPlaceboPatients received a placebo spray to the posterior pharyngeal wall 10 minutes before eating. At least 12 hours later, when the swallowing-induced pain score ≥4, a doxepin solution spray was administered to the posterior pharyngeal wall 10 minutes before eating.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Redution of swallowing-induced painBaseline, and 10, 20, 30, 60 minutes after administration

The redution of swallowing-induced pain was measured by the numerical analogue scale of 0 to 10, with 0=no pain and 10=worst pain in the questionnaires taken at baseline, and 10, 20, 30, 60 minutes after assigned administration.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Total Drowsiness IncreaseBaseline, and 10, 20, 30, 60 minutes after administration

The total drowsiness increase was measured by the numerical analogue scale of 0 to 10, with 0=no drowsiness and 10=extreme drowsiness in the questionnaires taken at baseline, and 10, 20, 30, 60 minutes after assigned administration.

Difficulty in Swallowing Different FoodBaseline, and 10, 20, 30, 60 minutes after administration

The difficulty in swallowing liquids, pureed food and solid food was measured respectively by the numerical analogue scale of 0 to 10, with 0=not at all and 10=very much in the questionnaires taken at 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after assigned administration.

Total Taste of the Agent10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after administration

The total taste of the agent was measured by the numerical analogue scale of 0 to 10, with 0=acceptable and 10=terrible in the questionnaires taken at 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after assigned administration.

Total Stinging or Burning From the Agent10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after administration

The stinging or burning of the oral cavity/oropharynx was measured by the numerical analogue scale of 0 to 10, with 0=no stinging or burning and 10=worst stinging or burning in the questionnaires taken at 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after assigned administration.

Adverse Event Profilesup to one day after administration

Adverse events were assessed and record using the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), version 5.0.

Patient Preference for Continuing Therapy With the Agent60 minutes after administration

Patients were asked if they would like to continue treatment with that particular agent at 60 minutes after assigned administration.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Southern medical university

🇨🇳

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

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