Can a common antipsychotic combo calm delirium in dying cancer patients?
NCT ID NCT03021486
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether giving haloperidol alone or with chlorpromazine can safely calm severe agitation and confusion (delirium) in 70 advanced cancer patients in a palliative care unit. The main goal is to see if the drugs improve sedation scores within 24 hours. It is a phase 2/3 trial run by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Haloperidol and chlorpromazine (antipsychotic drugs given intravenously)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a better way to quickly calm severe confusion and agitation in cancer patients nearing the end of life.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial in a very specific hospital setting, so results may not apply broadly. The drugs can cause side effects like oversedation or heart rhythm changes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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