Low-Dose Olanzapine Effectively Reduces chemotherapy induced vomiting in Cancer Patients

A recent study discovered that a lower dose of Olanzapine (OLZ) is just as effective as the standard dose for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), while it also significantly reduced daytime somnolence in cancer patients, The outcomes were presented in San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2023.

CINV poses a significant burden on cancer patients undergoing highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). The standard 10 mg dose of Olanzapine, when combined with triple antiemetics (TAE), has demonstrated it's efficacy. However, the accompanying daytime somnolence has limited its widespread use. This prompted researchers to explore the potential of a lower dose of OLZ in conjunction with a single dose of steroids.

The randomized study included patients with solid tumors slated for anthracycline-cyclophosphamide and high-dose cisplatin chemotherapy. Patients were divided into two groups as one receiving the standard 10mg OLZ (standard arm) and the other receiving a reduced 2.5mg dose (experimental arm) with TAE. Evaluating the Complete Control Rate (CCR), including the absence of emetic episodes, no use of rescue medications, and no or mild nausea were the primary objective.