Can common painkillers replace opioids after surgery?
NCT ID NCT05722002
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compares two common ways to manage pain after surgery: NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) plus acetaminophen, or low-dose opioids (like oxycodone) plus acetaminophen. About 900 adults having gallbladder removal, hernia repair, or breast lump removal will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The goal is to see which approach provides better pain control with fewer side effects over the first week after surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, celecoxib, or naproxen) plus acetaminophen, or low-dose opioids (oxycodone) plus acetaminophen
What this could lead to
If it works, this could show that NSAIDs are a better first choice than opioids for managing pain after common surgeries, reducing side effects and opioid use.
What could go wrong
This is a Phase 4 trial, so the drugs are already approved, but results may not apply to all surgeries or patients. Some people may still need opioids for adequate pain relief.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for SURGERY are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Study contacts
-
Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
-
Cooper University Health Care
RECRUITINGCamden, New Jersey, 08103, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
-
Henry Ford Health System
RECRUITINGDetroit, Michigan, 48202, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
-
Temple University - Temple Health
RECRUITINGPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, 19140, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
-
Unity Health Toronto
RECRUITINGToronto, Ontario, Canada
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
-
University of Michigan
RECRUITINGAnn Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
-
University of North Carolina Hospitals
RECRUITINGChapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
-
Washington University in Saint Louis
RECRUITINGSt Louis, Missouri, 63130, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
-
Women's College Hospital
RECRUITINGToronto, Ontario, M5S 1B2, Canada
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact