Which opioid works best for day surgery pain? study pits morphine against hydromorphone

NCT ID NCT02223377

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: McMaster University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study compares two common opioids, morphine and hydromorphone, to see which provides better pain relief with less nausea and vomiting after same-day surgeries. About 400 adults undergoing procedures like gallbladder removal or hernia repair will receive one of the two drugs in the recovery room. The goal is to find the most effective option for managing pain while minimizing side effects, helping patients recover faster and more comfortably.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: morphine and hydromorphone
What this could lead to: If one drug proves clearly better, it could become the preferred choice for managing pain after day surgeries, improving patient comfort and recovery speed.
What could go wrong: This is a single study with 402 people, and results may not apply to all surgeries or patients. Both drugs can cause nausea, itching, or drowsiness.

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 Vomiting

As listed by the trial registrant

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

PAIN POST-OPERATIVE NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Contacts and locations

Locations

Hamilton Health Sciences

Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 2X2, Canada
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 4A6, Canada

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