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.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Locations
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M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States