Can Over-the-Counter painkillers replace opioids after knee surgery?
NCT ID NCT03858231
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compares opioid (Norco) and non-opioid (ibuprofen and acetaminophen) pain medications in 148 adults undergoing knee arthroscopy. Participants take one tablet up to four times daily for seven days after surgery. The goal is to see if non-opioids provide similar pain relief and to understand how factors like gender and pre-surgery symptoms affect pain and medication use.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Norco (hydrocodone/acetaminophen), ibuprofen, and acetaminophen
What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that common non-opioid pain relievers are as effective as opioids for managing pain after knee arthroscopy, potentially reducing opioid use and addiction risks.
What could go wrong
This is a small, single-center Phase 4 trial, so results may not apply to all patients or surgeries. Pain is subjective, and individual responses may vary.
Disclaimer
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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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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Sanford Health
RECRUITINGFargo, North Dakota, 58122, United States
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••