Cough medicine may ease Post-Surgery pain and cut opioid use
NCT ID NCT05278494
First seen Apr 09, 2026 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 9 times
Summary
This study tests whether a common cough suppressant, dextromethorphan, can reduce pain and the need for strong opioid painkillers after knee replacement surgery. About 160 adults will receive either dextromethorphan or a placebo before and after their operation. Researchers will measure how much opioid medication participants use and their reported pain levels.
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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.
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Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Keck School of Medicine of USC
RECRUITINGLos Angeles, California, 90033, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Dextromethorphan (a common cough suppressant)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a safer, non-opioid option for managing pain after knee replacement surgery.
What could go wrong
This is an early-stage trial with no phase designation, so results are uncertain. Dextromethorphan may not reduce pain or opioid use better than a placebo.
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.