Doxepin Hydrochloride in Treating Oral Mucositis Pain in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiation Therapy With or Without Chemotherapy

Pain Clinical Trial

Official title: A Randomized Double-Blind Study of Doxepin Rinse Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Acute Oral Mucositis Pain in Patients Receiving Radiotherapy With or Without Chemotherapy

Status Active, not recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

RATIONALE: Doxepin hydrochloride may be an effective treatment for oral mucositis pain in patients undergoing radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying doxepin hydrochloride to see how well it works compared to placebo in treating oral mucositis pain in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.

Clinical Trial Description

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to gender, concurrent radiosensitizing chemotherapy (yes vs no), and age (< 60 years vs ≥ 60 years). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.

• Arm I: Patients receive doxepin hydrochloride oral rinse (swish, gargle, and spit)* over 1 minute on day 1. Patients may crossover to arm II on day 2.

• Arm II: Patients receive placebo oral rinse (swish, gargle, and spit)* over 1 minute on day 1.

Patients may crossover to arm I on day 2. The primary and secondary objectives are detailed below.

Primary Objective:

Determine whether doxepin oral rinse is effective in reducing OM-related pain in patients undergoing RT to the oral cavity, as measured by a patient-reported questionnaire at 5,15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes

Secondary Objectives:

1. Assess the adverse event profile of doxepin rinse using a patient-reported questionnaire at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes for domains of unpleasant taste, burning or stinging discomfort, and drowsiness.

2. Compare the incidence of using alternative analgesics before 4 hours, between the doxepin oral rinse and placebo arms.

3. Assess patient preference for continued therapy with oral rinse after initial test rinse or after the cross-over phase.

NOTE: * Patients are instructed to avoid taking medications for mucositis pain 60 minutes before and after study medication.

After completing study therapy, patients have the option to receive doxepin hydrochloride oral rinse every 4 hours as needed during radiotherapy.

Patients complete questionnaires at baseline, and at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes after study medication. Patients who choose to continue doxepin hydrochloride oral rinse also complete weekly questionnaires. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Supportive Care

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Head and Neck Cancer
• Head and Neck Neoplasms
• Mucositis
• Oral Complications of Radiation Therapy
• Pain
• Stomatitis

• NCT number: NCT01156142
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Phase: Phase 3
• Start date: December 2010