Haloperidol for the treatment of opioid addiction in advanced cancer patients: a case series

Abstract

Opioid addiction, if not well diagnosed and treated, can be a significant challenge for optimal pain management even in cancer patients. To date there is no definitive pharmacological standard of care for treating addiction, especially in this setting of patients. We present a clinical case series of three opioid-addicted advanced cancer patients, effectively treated with haloperidol, a well-known first-generation typical antipsychotic.

Keywords:

• Opioids
• addiction
• haloperidol
• cancer
• pain management

CARE statement

This article has been written in compliance with Case Report Guidelines (CARE).²¹

Conflict of interest

Dr Alessio Cortellini received grants as speaker by MSD, Astra-Zeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim, gran consultancies by BMS, Roche, Novartis, Istituto Gentili and Ipsen.

Funding source

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Informed consent

All patients or their families provided their consent to publication.

Ethical statement

The procedures followed were in accordance with the precepts of Good Clinical Practice and the declaration of Helsinki. The study was conducted following the rules of the local bioethical committee competent on human experimentation (Comitato etico per le province di L’Aquila e Teramo).

Authors’ contributions

All authors contributed to the publication according to the ICMJE guidelines for the authorship. All authors read and approved the manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the research in ensuring that the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.