Can a common antidepressant help cancer patients eat better?
NCT ID NCT00488072
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether mirtazapine, a drug often used for depression, can improve appetite in people with advanced cancer who have lost weight and have little desire to eat. About 98 patients will receive either mirtazapine or a placebo for 29 days. Researchers will track changes in appetite, sleep, and other symptoms to see if the drug helps.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Mirtazapine
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a way to improve appetite and quality of life for advanced cancer patients struggling with weight loss.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study with only 98 participants. The results may not apply to all cancer patients, and mirtazapine can cause side effects like drowsiness.
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
-
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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