Ambulance pain drug showdown: ketamine vs fentanyl

NCT ID NCT05437575

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Jason Sperry Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tests whether ketamine or fentanyl is better for pain relief in trauma patients with signs of shock. About 994 adults will receive one of the two drugs in the ambulance. Researchers will track survival at 24 hours and side effects like low oxygen or blood pressure.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: ketamine hydrochloride and fentanyl citrate
What this could lead to: If it works, this could show which painkiller is safer and more effective for trauma patients in ambulances.
What could go wrong: This is a large trial, but results may not apply to all injury types. Both drugs have risks like low blood pressure or breathing problems.

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.

injury Pain Shock

As listed by the trial registrant

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

TRAUMATIC INJURY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Allegheny General Hospital
RECRUITING

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15212, United States
Atrium Health and Carolinas Medical Center
RECRUITING

Charlotte, North Carolina, 28203, United States
Cooper University Health Care
RECRUITING

Camden, New Jersey, 08103, United States
Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital
RECRUITING

Sayre, Pennsylvania, 18840, United States
Medical College of Wisconsin
SUSPENDED

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53266, United States
The University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
RECRUITING

Burlington, Vermont, 05405, United States
University of California, San Diego
RECRUITING

San Diego, California, 92103, United States
University of Cincinnati
RECRUITING

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267, United States
University of Pittsburgh
RECRUITING

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
University of Utah
RECRUITING

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
RECRUITING

San Francisco, California, 94110, United States

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