Could a common antipsychotic curb opioid cravings in cancer patients?
NCT ID NCT06200181
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Sep 11, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests whether olanzapine, a medication typically used for mental health conditions, can reduce opioid cravings and misuse in adults with cancer who are on long-term opioid pain therapy. About 87 participants will receive either olanzapine or a placebo to see if it helps lower cravings safely. The goal is to improve pain management while reducing the risk of opioid misuse.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Olanzapine (also known as Zyprexa)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a way to help cancer patients manage opioid cravings and reduce misuse while still controlling pain.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study with only 87 participants, so results may not apply widely. Olanzapine can cause side effects like drowsiness and weight gain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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69 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2024
- Expected to finish
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Nov 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18 years or older 2. Diagnosis of cancer pain 3. Receiving long-term opioid therapy (≥ 7 days)32 4. Active use of opioids within the past 7 days 5. Opioid misuse behavior (COMM score ≥ 9/68) 6. Seen by a Supportive Care Clinic or Pain Clinic clinician 7. ECOG performance status ≥ 2/4 8. Ability to communicate in English 9. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Contraindications to, or allergic to, olanzapine 2. Current use of any antipsychotic medication (e.g. quetiapine, haloperidol, risperidone, etc.) 3. History of OUD or other substance use disorders, except marijuana 4. History of formal psychiatric diagnoses (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, or anorexia nervosa) 5. Hepatic insufficiency (defined as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \> 3 times the highest normal value, or total bilirubin \>1.5 times the highest normal value) within the past month 6. History of uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus or hyperglycemia (fasting ≥ 200 mg/dL) within the past month 7. History of seizure disorder or neuroleptic malignant syndrome 8. History of cardiac disease (e.g. coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure) 9. (Females only) Known pregnancy, as communicated to study personnel by clinicians; females of childbearing potential will receive advice to use methods of contraception per usual care.
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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
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MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States