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

NCT ID NCT07450430

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.

Disclaimer Read more

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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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.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Boston Children's Hospital

    Brookline, Massachusetts, 02445, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••