New study tests if esketamine causes fewer weird side effects than ketamine for ER pain

NCT ID NCT06853041

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study compared two similar painkillers—esketamine and ketamine—given as low-dose injections to 74 adults with severe acute pain in the emergency department. The main goal was to see which drug caused fewer disturbing mental side effects like hallucinations or dizziness. Both drugs are alternatives to morphine and don't slow breathing, but their side effects can be unpleasant.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Esketamine and ketamine (low-dose intravenous injections)
What this could lead to: If esketamine causes fewer disturbing side effects than ketamine, it could become a preferred option for rapid pain relief in emergency rooms, reducing reliance on opioids.
What could go wrong: This is a small, single-center study with only 74 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Both drugs can still cause hallucinations or dizziness, and the benefit of esketamine over ketamine may be minimal.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Acute Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ACUTE PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

CHU de NICE

Nice, Alpes-maritimes, 06000, France

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