Could a single dose of ketamine keep sickle cell patients out of the hospital?

NCT ID NCT07450430

Not yet recruiting Symptom relief Sponsor: Boston Children's Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tests whether giving ketamine within an hour of pain onset can prevent hospital admission for children and young adults with sickle cell disease. 90 participants aged 6-24 will receive either ketamine or a placebo by mouth. If admitted, they can still receive standard IV ketamine. The goal is to see if early treatment reduces hospital stays and opioid use.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: ketamine
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a way to manage sickle cell pain at home or in the clinic, reducing the need for hospital stays.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial. Ketamine may not reduce admissions, and side effects like dizziness or nausea are possible.

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.

Pain sickle cell disease Vaso-Occlusive Crises

As listed by the trial registrant

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

SICKLE CELL CRISIS SICKLE CELL DISEASE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Boston Children's Hospital

Brookline, Massachusetts, 02445, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.