Isopropyl Alcohol Inhalation for Cancer-Related Nausea

Overseen By Yvonne J Heung

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Must not be taking: Anti-emetics

Disqualifiers: Delirium, Allergy to isopropyl, others

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: Single session

112 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this research study is to understand the effect of inhalation approaches in reducing nausea in cancer patients.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you cannot have received anti-nausea medications (anti-emetics) in the last 30 minutes before participating.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Isopropyl Alcohol for cancer-related nausea?

Research shows that inhaling isopropyl alcohol can help reduce nausea in various settings, such as after surgery and in emergency departments. While the evidence is not very strong, some studies found it more effective than other treatments for nausea. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is isopropyl alcohol inhalation safe for humans?

In studies involving isopropyl alcohol inhalation for nausea, no adverse effects were reported, suggesting it is generally safe for humans. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

How does isopropyl alcohol inhalation differ from other treatments for cancer-related nausea?

Isopropyl alcohol inhalation is unique because it is administered through nasal inhalation, offering a simple and inexpensive alternative to traditional anti-nausea medications. Unlike conventional drugs, it is readily available and has been used effectively in emergency and postoperative settings for nausea relief. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Research Team

Yvonne J. Heung

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for cancer patients experiencing nausea who are seeing a supportive care team. They must be feeling anxious but not delirious, have not used anti-nausea drugs or been exposed to isopropyl alcohol in the last half-hour, and can't have an allergy to isopropyl alcohol.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been referred to a supportive care service.

I have been diagnosed with cancer.

I agree to inhale isopropyl alcohol as part of the study.

Exclusion Criteria

Received medical procedures (e.g. blood draws) which required exposure of isopropyl alcohol in the last 30 minutes

I cannot breathe through my nose.

I have never taken anti-nausea medication during my current treatment.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either isopropyl alcohol or placebo via nasal inhalation

Single session

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in nausea levels post-intervention

5 minutes

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Placebo

Trial Overview Researchers are testing if sniffing isopropyl alcohol helps with nausea compared to a placebo (no active ingredient). Participants will also fill out questionnaires about their symptoms. The study aims to find better ways to manage nausea in cancer patients.

Participant Groups

Group I: Arm I (isopropyl alcohol) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Patients receive isopropyl alcohol via nasal inhalation.

Group II: Arm II (placebo) Placebo Group 2 Interventions

Patients receive placebo via nasal inhalation.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Findings from Research

The introduction of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for treating nausea in the emergency department significantly increased the percentage of patients receiving treatment from 66.0% to 97.1% and reduced the time to treatment initiation from 7 minutes to just 1 minute.

Using IPA led to a decrease in the use of conventional anti-emetics and reduced treatment costs from €1.33 to €0.67 per patient, indicating that IPA is a more efficient and cost-effective option for managing nausea in the ED.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) inhalation as the first-line treatment for nausea in the emergency department: practical advantages and influence on the quality of care. Veldhuis, P., Melse, M., Mullaart, N.[2021]

In a study involving 91 children aged 6-16 undergoing surgery, inhaling isopropyl alcohol vapor significantly reduced nausea and vomiting severity in 65% of the treatment group compared to 26% in the control group, indicating its potential effectiveness as a treatment.

However, the relief was temporary, as 54% of the treatment group experienced recurrent nausea or vomiting shortly after, suggesting that while isopropyl alcohol may provide short-term relief, it may not be a long-lasting solution for postoperative nausea and vomiting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An alternative method to alleviate postoperative nausea and vomiting in children. Wang, SM., Hofstadter, MB., Kain, ZN.[2022]

In a study of 84 emergency department patients, nasal inhalation of isopropyl alcohol significantly reduced nausea compared to a placebo, with a median nausea score of 3 versus 6 at 10 minutes post-treatment.

Patients who inhaled isopropyl alcohol reported higher satisfaction levels (median score of 4) compared to those who received the placebo (median score of 2), indicating that isopropyl alcohol is not only effective in alleviating nausea but also improves patient satisfaction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Isopropyl Alcohol Nasal Inhalation for Nausea in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Beadle, KL., Helbling, AR., Love, SL., et al.[2018]

Inhalation of isopropyl alcohol has been observed as a practical and cost-effective method for treating postoperative nausea and vomiting, based on anecdotal evidence from recovery room practices.

The use of readily available alcohol preparation pads as a nursing intervention could provide an alternative to more expensive antiemetic medications, warranting further investigation into its efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Isopropyl alcohol inhalation as treatment for nausea and vomiting. Spencer, KW.[2019]

Inhaled isopropyl alcohol (IPA) was evaluated in 13 randomized controlled trials involving 1253 participants for its effectiveness in managing nausea and vomiting, particularly in postoperative and emergency settings.

While some studies reported IPA as more effective than other treatments, the overall quality of evidence was low, and no adverse effects were noted, indicating a need for further research to confirm its efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inhalation of Isopropyl Alcohol for the Management of Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review. Erdogan-Ongel, E., Heung, Y., Rozman de Moraes, A., et al.[2023]

Inhaled isopropyl alcohol (IPA) has been found to significantly reduce nausea in adults presenting to the emergency department, with a mean reduction of 2.18 on a 0-10 scale compared to placebo, indicating its potential efficacy as an antiemetic.

However, the evidence is considered moderate due to the small number of trials (only two included in the primary analysis with 195 patients), and further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings and assess its impact on vomiting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Isopropyl alcohol inhalation for the treatment of nausea in adult emergency department patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lee, SY., Tamale, JR.[2023]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) inhalation as the first-line treatment for nausea in the emergency department: practical advantages and influence on the quality of care. [2021]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An alternative method to alleviate postoperative nausea and vomiting in children. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Isopropyl Alcohol Nasal Inhalation for Nausea in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2018]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Isopropyl alcohol inhalation as treatment for nausea and vomiting. [2019]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inhalation of Isopropyl Alcohol for the Management of Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review. [2023]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Isopropyl alcohol inhalation for the treatment of nausea in adult emergency department patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2023]