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May 8, 2026Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice

Use of mirtazapine for appetite stimulation and weight gain in cancer-associated cachexia and anorexia: A systematic review

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Authors

KEKourtney A EllenbergHVHannah K VitaleMBMichael P Bloomfield

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Overview

Systematic review evaluates mirtazapine's effects on appetite and weight gain in cancer patients, suggesting low risk but inconsistent benefits.

Key Points

  • This review evaluates the safety and efficacy of mirtazapine for appetite stimulation and weight gain in cancer-associated cachexia and anorexia.
  • Systematic review of five randomized controlled trials
  • Data sources included PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL
  • Studies compared mirtazapine to placebo, megestrol acetate, and olanzapine.
  • Mirtazapine improved appetite significantly compared to olanzapine, but not to placebo or megestrol acetate.
  • Secondary outcomes showed no significant differences in weight or energy intake between mirtazapine and controls.
  • Adverse effects were similar across mirtazapine and comparator arms.

Cite This Study

Ellenberg et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69fd7eb0bfa21ec5bbf06e4ehttps://doi.org/10.1177/10781552261445609
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