Cancer pain relief without the sickness: new hope from an old drug

NCT ID NCT07038551

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether naldemedine, a drug already used for opioid-induced constipation, can also prevent nausea and vomiting when cancer patients start strong painkillers. 120 adults with cancer who were beginning opioid therapy took either naldemedine or a placebo for up to 7 days. The main goal was to see if more patients in the naldemedine group had no vomiting and didn't need extra anti-nausea medication by day 5.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

naldemedine

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a new way to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by opioid painkillers in cancer patients, making pain management easier.

What could go wrong

This is a completed Phase 4 trial with 120 participants, so results are available but may not apply to all patients. Naldemedine is already used for constipation, so its effect on nausea is still being confirmed.

Disclaimer Read more

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.

cancer constipation disorder Nausea Vomiting

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Beppu Medical Center

    Beppu, Oita Prefecture, Japan

  • Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Fo undation for Cancer Research

    Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

  • Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital

    Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan

  • Hyogo Prefectural Nishinomiya Hospital

    Nishinomiya, Hyōgo, Japan

  • IUHW Narita Hospital

    Narita, Chiba, Japan

  • Iizuka Hospital

    Iizuka, Fukuoka, Japan

  • Kanagawa Dental University Yokohama Clinic

    Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

  • Kansai Rosai Hospital

    Amagasaki, Hyōgo, Japan

  • Kindai University Nara Hospital

    Ikoma, Nara, Japan

  • Kyoto University Hospital

    Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

  • National Cancer Center Hospital

    Chuo Ku, Tokyo, Japan

  • National Hospital Organization HIMEJI M edical Center

    Himeji, Hyōgo, Japan

  • Niigata Cancer Center Hospital

    Niigata, Niigata, Japan

  • Osaka Red Cross Hospital

    Osaka, Osaka, Japan

  • Osaki Citizen Hospital

    Ōsaki, Miyagi, Japan

  • Showa University Koto Toyosu Hospital

    Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

  • St. Marianna University School of Medicine

    Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan

  • Toyama University Hospital

    Toyama, Toyama, Japan

  • Toyohashi municipal hospital

    Toyohashi, Aichi-ken, Japan

  • University of Tsukuba Hospital

    Tsukuba, Ibaragi, Japan