THC or Compazine for the cancer chemotherapy patient--the UCLA study. Part II: Patient drug preference.

Ungerleider et al. ·American Journal of Clinical Oncology Impact 1.3

Mixed GRADE High 30 citations

Samplen = 139 Pat.

ControlProchlorperazine oral

EndpointDrug preference

Blindingdoppelblind

DesignRCT (doppelblind, Cross-over)

Cannabinoidthc

Routeoral

Key finding

THC reduces nausea comparably to prochlorperazine, but is associated with more side effects (sedation), yet is preferred by patients.

Summary

n=139 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy; double-blind crossover comparison THC vs. prochlorperazine (Compazine); nausea reduction was the main preference factor; ~2/3 of patients preferred THC. THC with more side effects (especially sedation); no significant age effect (<50 vs. ≥50 years) on preference or nausea reduction.

PopulationCancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, n=139, who received both study medications

InterventionTHC (oral, dosage not specified) as antiemetic

ControlProchlorperazine (Compazine) oral

OutcomeNausea reduction as main determinant of preference; THC preference despite more side effects (especially sedation) compared to prochlorperazine

Confidence in the evidence

High

The highest of four GRADE levels, the effect estimate is very reliable.

Quality profile

Sample size ★★★★★

Blinding Double-blind

Effect size Mixed

Citations / year ★★★★★

Authors

Ungerleider JT, Sarna G, Fairbanks LA, Goodnight J, Andrysiak T, Jamison K.

DOI 10.1097/00000421-198504000-00006↗

Design: RCT (doppelblind, Cross-over)

Abstract

Factors influencing preference for THC vs. Compazine (prochlorperazine) as an antiemetic agent during cancer chemotherapy were studied in 139 patients who received both medications in a double-blind randomized crossover design trial. Nausea reduction was the main determinant of preference. THC preference was associated with more, rather than fewer, drug-related side effects than Compazine, particularly sedation. Patients who reported being anxious or depressed did not experience accentuation of their mood states with either regime. Mood effects, nausea reduction, incidence of side effects, and drug preference were the same in patients under and over 50 years of age. Patients with a history of illicit drug use reported fewer side effects from THC, but reported no difference in drug preference or nausea reduction compared to those patients without a history of illicit use.

The impediment to action advances action. — Marcus Aurelius