title: The efficacy of haloperidol in the management of nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Haloperidol is used commonly for the control of nausea and vomiting (N/V) in palliative care patients, but there is very little evidence to support its use.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of haloperidol as an antiemetic in patients with cancer and N/V not related to cancer treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with an N/V score of at least 1 on a 4-point scale were prescribed either oral or subcutaneous haloperidol. N/V and toxicity were assessed daily for the duration of the study (maximum five days) by both the patient and an observer (health professional).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At Day 2, 33 of 42 (79%) treated patients were assessable for response. Eight (24%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10%-39%) patients had complete control of N/V and 12 (36%; 95% CI: 20%-53%) had partial control, giving an overall response rate of 61% (95% CI: 44%-77%). At Day 5, 23 patients were assessable for response. The overall response rate was 17 of 23 (74%; 95% CI: 56%-92%). If all patients are included in the response analysis, the overall response rates at Days 2 and 5 were 47% and 40%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Haloperidol has some efficacy in the treatment of N/V in this patient group. The results from this uncontrolled study provide pilot data from which to plan future controlled trials of antiemetics in the palliative care population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Care, Mater Health Services, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. janet.hardy@mater.org.au
authors.forename: Janet R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Shea
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gilshenan
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Douglas
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010166:Palliative Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006220:Haloperidol