Could a common anesthetic replace opioids for ER pain?

NCT ID NCT07670507

Not yet recruiting Symptom relief Sponsor: Albany Medical College Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This pilot study will test whether oral ketamine can control pain as well as oxycodone in emergency department patients who need extra pain medication. Sixty adults with certain types of pain will be randomly assigned to receive either drug. Researchers will measure changes in pain scores and whether patients need additional opioids within 24 hours, with follow-up at 1 and 3 months.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: oral ketamine
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a non-opioid option for managing pain in the emergency department, potentially reducing reliance on opioids.
What could go wrong: This is a small pilot study with only 60 participants, so results may not apply broadly. It's also early-stage, and the effectiveness or side effects of oral ketamine are not yet well understood in this setting.

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

As listed by the trial registrant

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

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Contacts and locations

Locations

Albany Medical Center Emergency Department

Albany, New York, 12208, United States

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