Clinical Observation of Olanzapine in Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting Caused by Opioid Analgesics

Objective To observe the efficacy and side effects of olanzapine in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by opioid analgesics in cancer patients.

Methods We randomly divided 85 cancer patients with nausea and vomiting caused by opioid analgesics into two groups. Treatment group was treated with olanzapine tablets and control group received metoclopramide injection solution. The clinical effect and medical side effects were compared between two groups.

Results Compared with control group, the treatment group was significantly better in inhibiting nausea, vomiting and reducing opioid discontinuation rate (P < 0.05). Two groups were similar in drowsiness, dizziness, edema and other adverse reactions rate (P > 0.05). The control group showed significantly higher possibility in extrapyramidal reaction (akathisia) than the treatment group (P=0.024), while only one case of tumble happened in treatment group.

Conclusion Olanzapine is a good choice in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by opioid analgesics and worth extending its clinical application.