However , mirtazapine showed effectiveness in treating depression , anxiety , sleep disorders , emesis and neuropathic pain .
Across all studies , mirtazapine is safe to use , with drowsiness and dizziness the most common side-effects .
Cancer patients often experience multiple distressing symptoms which are challenging to manage .
It would therefore be helpful to find a treatment that alleviates more than one symptom , to avoid polypharmacy : mirtazapine has been used in several studies for this purpose .
The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of mirtazapine in alleviating one or more frequently encountered cancer-related symptoms .
The Use of Antidepressants for Physical and Psychological Symptoms in Cancer.
Cancer patients are commonly associated with various physical and psychological symptoms . In palliative setting , the aims are to relieve those symptoms , improve quality of life , and increase medication adherence among cancer patients . Antidepressants are generally accepted for the treatment of depression among patients with or without cancer . Some other potential benefits of the antidepressants have been reported in cancer patients . OBJECTIVE This study aims to review the use of antidepressants for physical and psychological symptoms in cancer patients . RESULTS Our findings showed the mixed result of positive and negative findings in various symptoms associated with cancer patients . These studies are categorised according to the hierarchy of evidence from high to low level , namely r and omised controlled trials , cohort studies , case-control studies , case series , case reports , as well as other type of publications . The majority of antidepressants used in cancer patients seem to be beneficial for the treatment of depression , anxiety , hot flashes and other symptoms such as sexual dysfunction , fatigue , nicotine dependence , vasomotor symptoms , executive functions , sleep problems , pruritus , as well as for hypochondriasis . While fluoxetine was found to be associated with the reduction of antiemetic property in ondansetron , mirtazapine was identified to be a good alternative in treating nausea and cachexia among cancer patients . CONCLUSION More research studies with adequate statistical power are warranted to vali date the use of antidepressants among cancer patients in treating these physical and psychological symptoms
However , mirtazapine showed effectiveness in treating depression , anxiety , sleep disorders , emesis and neuropathic pain .
Across all studies , mirtazapine is safe to use , with drowsiness and dizziness the most common side-effects .
Cancer patients often experience multiple distressing symptoms which are challenging to manage .
It would therefore be helpful to find a treatment that alleviates more than one symptom , to avoid polypharmacy : mirtazapine has been used in several studies for this purpose .
The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of mirtazapine in alleviating one or more frequently encountered cancer-related symptoms .