Cancer pain study questions need for extra paracetamol pills
NCT ID NCT05051735
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at whether cancer patients already taking strong opioids like morphine can stop taking paracetamol without their pain getting worse. 204 adults with metastatic cancer and stable pain on both medications were randomly assigned to continue paracetamol or switch to a placebo. The goal was to see if dropping paracetamol is just as good for pain control, potentially reducing the burden of taking many pills each day.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
What this could lead to
If stopping paracetamol proves non-inferior, patients could take fewer pills daily without worsening pain, reducing pill burden.
What could go wrong
The trial is completed but results are not yet reported. Even if non-inferior, individual responses may vary, and some patients might need paracetamol for optimal pain control.
Disclaimer
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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.
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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Akershus University Hospital
Lørenskog, 1478, Norway
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Edinburgh Cancer Research
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori
Milan, Italy
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Førde Hospital Trust
Førde, Førde, 6812, Norway
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Helse Møre og Romsdal
Ålesund, 6026, Norway
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Makere University Hospital
Kampala, Uganda
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OsloUH
Oslo, 0424, Norway
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St. Olavs Hospital
Trondheim, 7030, Norway
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Stavanger University Hospital
Stavanger, Stavanger, 4011, Norway
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Sørlandet Hospital Trust
Kristiansand, Kristiansand, 4604, Norway
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Telemark Hospital Trust
Skien, Norway
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Universitetssykehuset Nord-Norge
Tromsø, 9019, Norway
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Vestfold Hospital trust
Tønsberg, 3103, Norway
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Vestre Viken Hospital Trust
Drammen, Drammen, 3004, Norway
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Østfold Hospital Trust
Sarpsborg, Grålum, 1714, Norway