To systematically review the effects of dezocine (DZC) on the occurrence rate and severity of opioid-induced cough (OIC).Systematic review and meta-analysis DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Ovid, Web of Science as well as Chinese BioMedical Literature & Retrieval System, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and VIP Data were searched from 1978 to 31 December 2020.All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DZC with placebo on the occurrence rate and severity of OIC.All data were analysed by using RevMan V.5.3. Each outcome was tested for heterogeneity, and randomised-effects or fixed-effects model was used in the presence or absence of significant heterogeneity.Our search yielded 33 RCTs including 4442 patients, and 2521 patients were allocated into the DZC group and 1921 into the control group. Fentanyl was administrated in 1880 patients and sufentanil in 2562 patients during the induction of general anaesthesia. The meta-analysis demonstrated that DZC significantly reduced the occurrence rate of OIC induced by either fentanyl (8.8% vs 49.7%, OR=0.07, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.12, p<0.00001) or sufentanil (5.0% vs 41.5%, OR=0.07, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.12, p<0.00001). The meta-analysis also indicated that the occurrence rate of mild, moderate and severe OIC in the DZC group was remarkably lower than that of the control group (mild: 3.6% vs 13.6%, OR=0.19, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.25, p<0.00001; moderate: 2.0% vs 13.6%, OR=0.12, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.18, p<0.00001; severe: 1.0% vs 13.9%, OR=0.08, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.12, p<0.00001). Additionally, the current meta-analysis indicated that DZC pretreatment was not associated with increased occurrence rate of adverse effects (7.0% vs 4.2%, OR=2.34, 95% CI 0.60 to 9.14, p=0.22) except for dizziness (11.8% vs 0%, OR=8.06, 95% CI 1.40 to 46.35, p=0.02).This meta-analysis demonstrated that DZC significantly inhibited OIC and may be used to manage OIC. More high-quality RCTs are needed to complement the safety of DZC.CRD42019141255.© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.