Which pain pill works best? new study aims to end the guesswork

NCT ID NCT04441034

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Stanford University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study compares two widely used drug classes—anti-convulsants and anti-depressants—for treating chronic pain in 450 real-world patients. Unlike typical trials that exclude many patients, this one includes people with other health issues to get results that apply to more people. The goal is to see which drug works better and to build a tool that predicts which patients will respond best to each medication.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: anti-convulsant and anti-depressant medications
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help doctors choose the right pain medication for each patient, improving pain relief and reducing guesswork.
What could go wrong: This is a pragmatic trial focused on comparing existing drugs, not testing a new treatment. Results may show no clear winner, and the prediction model may not be accurate enough for widespread use.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Chronic Pain chronic pain syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CHRONIC PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

Stanford Pain Management Center
RECRUITING

Redwood City, California, 94063, United States

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