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.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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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.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
New York, New York, 10032, United States