| Yuhong Dai,Man Zou,Tingting Huang,Hong Qiu. Efficacy and adverse effects of olanzapine in the treatment of moderate to severe refractory neuropathic pain. Oncol Transl Med, 2020, 6: 47-51. | 
               
			
	       
                | Efficacy and adverse effects of olanzapine in the treatment of moderate to severe refractory neuropathic pain | 
            
	       
                | Received:January 15, 2020  Revised:April 21, 2020 | 
               
			  
                | View Full Text  View/Add Comment  Download reader  | 
            
	         
                | KeyWord:Olanzapine; refractory cancer pain; neuropathic pain; efficacy; adverse effect | 
            
	       
		   
	       
                | Author Name | Affiliation | E-mail |  | Yuhong Dai  | Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology  | eier_dai@163.com  |  | Man Zou*  | Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology  | skyfountain@163.com  |  | Tingting Huang  | Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology  |   |  | Hong Qiu  | Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology  |   |  
  | 
            
		   
		   
                | Hits: 8550 | 
            
		   
                | Download times: 9941 | 
            
	       
	     
                | Abstract: | 
               
	        
                |       Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy and adverse effects of olanzapine in the
treatment of moderate to severe refractory neuropathic pain.
Methods: Forty patients with digestive system cancer were enrolled, who had moderate to severe
refractory neuropathic pain; the patients were treated with olanzapine for 2 weeks at a daily dosage of 5 mg
to 10 mg per night according to patients’ response and tolerability, combined with conventional analgesic
therapy. Pain intensity was evaluated by using a Numeral Rating Scale (NRS) at baseline, 3 days, and 2
weeks after therapy. The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was evaluated at baseline and 2 weeks after
therapy. Data on adverse events were recorded. The dosage of conventional analgesics was adjusted over
time based on the severity of pain.
Results: The mean pain score decreased by 2.575 ± 1.318 (P < 0.000) at 3 days and by 3.400 ± 1.614 (P
< 0.000) at 2 weeks; 30% of the patients experienced significant pain relief at 3 days and 50% at 2 weeks.
The PSQI decreased by 4.725 ± 2.828 (P < 0.000) at 2 weeks. The adverse events induced by olanzapine
included sleepiness, weight gain, dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, and constipation; all the side effects were
mild.
Conclusion: When combined with conventional analgesic therapy, olanzapine was effective in relieving
pain and sleep disturbance, and was well-tolerated among patients with refractory neuropathic pain. | 
             
		    
	         
	      
                |  Close   | 
                 
             
           | 
        
         
       
	  
   |     
   
 |