New painkiller could cut opioid use in ICU patients

NCT ID NCT05071352

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

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a continuous infusion of nefopam, a non-opioid painkiller, can reduce the need for fentanyl (a strong opioid) in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilators. Sixty adults were randomly assigned to receive either nefopam plus standard care or standard care alone. The goal was to see if nefopam could provide effective pain relief while lowering opioid doses and their side effects.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Nefopam (a non-opioid painkiller)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a way to reduce opioid use in ICU patients on ventilators, potentially lowering side effects like addiction or breathing problems.
What could go wrong: This is a small, single-center trial with only 60 patients, so results may not apply broadly. Nefopam may not reduce opioid use as hoped, and side effects like nausea or sweating 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.

agnosia Critical Illness delirium pain agnosia

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ANALGESIA CRITICAL ILLNESS MECHANICAL VENTILATION SEDATION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Cairo University Hospitals (Kasr Alainy)

Cairo, Egypt

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