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Doxepin Solution for Alleviation of Stubborn Breakthrough Pain Induced by Swallowing in Patients Receiving Radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Doxepin Solution for Alleviation of Stubborn Breakthrough Pain Induced by Swallowing in Patient Receiving Radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06017895
Enrollment
178
Registered
2023-08-30
Start date
2023-10-31
Completion date
2026-08-31
Last updated
2026-06-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Swallowing-induced Pain

Keywords

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Oral mucositis, Radiotherapy, Swallowing-induced pain, Doxepin

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to explore the effectiveness and adverse reactions of doxepin solution spray for alleviation of stubborn breakthrough pain induced by swallowing in patients receiving radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Detailed description

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving radical radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy who developed oral mucositis and had a swallowing-induced pain score ≥ 4 were recruited and randomly assigned 1:1 to the experimental group and the control group. Patients in the experimental group received a doxepin solution spray to the posterior pharyngeal wall 10 minutes before eating. At least 12 hours later, when the swallowing-induced pain score ≥4, a placebo spray was administered to the posterior pharyngeal wall 10 minutes before eating. Patients in the control group received a placebo spray to the posterior pharyngeal wall 10 minutes before eating. At least 12 hours later, when the swallowing-induced pain score ≥4, a doxepin solution spray was administered to the posterior pharyngeal wall 10 minutes before eating. The swallowing-induced pain and incidence of adverse events were assessed at 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1 hour after medication using a patient-reported questionnaire, and safety evaluation was conducted 1 day after treatment.

Interventions

DRUGdoxepin solution

2.0 mL doxepin solution (5mg/mL) sprayed to the posterior pharyngeal wall

OTHERPlacebo

2.0 mL placebo sprayed to the posterior pharyngeal wall

Sponsors

Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Provide informed written consent. 2. Age ≥ 18 years. 3. Histologically confirmed as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and currently undergoing radical radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. 4. Physical examination demonstrating the presence of radiation-induced mucositis in the oral cavity and/or oropharynx. 5. At least 4 (out of 10) patient-reported swallowing-induced pain as measured by the numeric rating scale of pain. 6. Being able to complete the questionnaires independently or with assistance. 7. ECOG Performance Status 0, 1 or 2.

Exclusion criteria

1. Known allergy to doxepin, tricyclic antidepressants, or any known component of the drug formulation. 2. Use of a tricyclic antidepressant or monoamine oxidase inhibitor within 14 days prior to registration. 3. Current untreated or unhealed oral candidiasis or oral herpes simplex virus infection. 4. Untreated narrow angle glaucoma within 6 weeks prior to registration. 5. Untreated urinary retention within 6 weeks prior to registration. 6. Administration of cryotherapy to prevent oral mucositis within 6 weeks prior to registration. 7. Current serious heart disease or a recent history of myocardial infarction. 8. Current untreated or unresolved conditions like epilepsy, hyperthyroidism, hepatic dysfunction, delirium, and neutropenia. 9. Pregnant or lactating women.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Redution of swallowing-induced painBaseline, and 10, 20, 30, 60 minutes after administrationThe redution of swallowing-induced pain was measured by the numerical analogue scale of 0 to 10, with 0=no pain and 10=worst pain in the questionnaires taken at baseline, and 10, 20, 30, 60 minutes after assigned administration.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Total Drowsiness IncreaseBaseline, and 10, 20, 30, 60 minutes after administrationThe total drowsiness increase was measured by the numerical analogue scale of 0 to 10, with 0=no drowsiness and 10=extreme drowsiness in the questionnaires taken at baseline, and 10, 20, 30, 60 minutes after assigned administration.
Total Taste of the Agent10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after administrationThe total taste of the agent was measured by the numerical analogue scale of 0 to 10, with 0=acceptable and 10=terrible in the questionnaires taken at 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after assigned administration.
Total Stinging or Burning From the Agent10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after administrationThe stinging or burning of the oral cavity/oropharynx was measured by the numerical analogue scale of 0 to 10, with 0=no stinging or burning and 10=worst stinging or burning in the questionnaires taken at 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after assigned administration.
Difficulty in Swallowing Different FoodBaseline, and 10, 20, 30, 60 minutes after administrationThe difficulty in swallowing liquids, pureed food and solid food was measured respectively by the numerical analogue scale of 0 to 10, with 0=not at all and 10=very much in the questionnaires taken at 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after assigned administration.
Patient Preference for Continuing Therapy With the Agent60 minutes after administrationPatients were asked if they would like to continue treatment with that particular agent at 60 minutes after assigned administration.
Adverse Event Profilesup to one day after administrationAdverse events were assessed and record using the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), version 5.0.

Countries

China

Contacts

CONTACTJian Guan, MD
51643930@qq.com+86-13632102247
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJian Guan, MD

Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 24, 2026