New study aims to cut opioid overprescription after hand surgery

NCT ID NCT04044820

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: University Health Network, Toronto Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tests whether giving patients a fixed, evidence-based number of opioid pills after hand or forearm surgery leads to fewer unused pills while still controlling pain. About 292 adults having elective outpatient hand surgery at Toronto Western Hospital will be randomly assigned to receive either the standardized prescription or usual care. The goal is to find a balance that avoids overprescription without sacrificing pain relief.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Oxycodone or Hydromorphone or Tylenol #3 (acetaminophen with codeine)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to a standard, safer way to prescribe painkillers after hand surgery, reducing leftover pills and the risk of misuse.
What could go wrong: This is a small, single-center trial, so results may not apply everywhere. The focus is on prescription patterns, not a new treatment, so the impact is limited.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for OPIOID USE are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

opioid abuse

As listed by the trial registrant

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

OPIOID USE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Toronto Western Hospital
RECRUITING

Toronto, Ontario, M5T2S8, Canada

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.