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Evidence summaries

Haloperidol for the Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting in Palliative Care Patients

There is not enough evidence to be able to recommend haloperidol for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in adult patients suffering from incurable progressive medical conditions. Level of evidence: "D"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 identified only one RCT comparing ABH haloperidol gel, applied to the wrist, with placebo for the relief of nausea in 22 participants. ABH gel includes haloperidol as well as diphenhydramine and lorazepam. The gel was not significantly better than placebo in this small study; however haloperidol is reported not to be absorbed significantly when applied topically, therefore the trial does not address the issue of whether haloperidol is effective or well-tolerated when administered by other routes (e.g. by mouth, subcutaneously or intravenously).

References

  • Murray-Brown F, Dorman S. Haloperidol for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in palliative care patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015;(11):CD006271. [PubMed]. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords