Could laughing gas replace opioids for sickle cell pain?
NCT ID NCT01891812
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This small study tested whether nitrous oxide (laughing gas) can quickly relieve severe pain in children with sickle cell disease during a pain crisis. Five patients aged 8 to 18 who still had high pain after standard treatment received nitrous oxide in the emergency room. Researchers measured pain scores and how long relief lasted, hoping to find a safer alternative to repeated opioids.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a fast, non-opioid pain relief option for sickle cell pain crises in the emergency room.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very small, early-phase study with only 5 participants, so results may not apply widely. Pain relief from nitrous oxide is short-lived (up to 3 hours) and may not replace opioids for severe pain.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
New York, New York, 10032, United States
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