Can a painkiller cream stop burn scars?

NCT ID NCT04685577

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a cream called Nefopam can prevent or reduce scarring in burn patients. Fifty adult burn patients had small, controlled scratches made on their hips. One scratch was treated with the Nefopam cream and the other with a placebo cream. Researchers measured scar size, thickness, and color over several months to see if the Nefopam cream worked better than the placebo.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
Nefopam cream
What this could lead to
If it works, this could lead to a simple cream that helps prevent or reduce bad scars after burns or other skin injuries.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with only 50 patients. The cream is tested on small, controlled scratches, not real burn wounds, so results may not apply to larger burns.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

burn Cicatrix, Hypertrophic injury

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Alberta Hospital

    Edmonton, Alberta, T6G2B7, Canada

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