Could an amino acid shorten sickle cell pain crises?
NCT ID NCT04839354
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 3 trial tests whether intravenous arginine, an amino acid, can shorten painful episodes in children with sickle cell disease. Participants aged 3 to 21 receive either arginine or a placebo alongside standard pain treatment. The study measures how quickly the crisis resolves and how much opioid pain medication is needed.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- L-arginine hydrochloride
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a new, safer way to shorten painful sickle cell crises and reduce reliance on opioids for children.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial, and arginine may not prove more effective than placebo. Potential side effects include allergic reactions or metabolic imbalances.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston
Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
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Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding
Atlanta, Georgia, 03322, United States
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Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States
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Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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Children's National Medical Center
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20010, United States
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Medical College of Wisconsin/Wisconsin Children's Hospital
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, 53226, United States
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Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, Ohio, 43205, United States
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Texas Children's Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital
San Francisco, California, 94158, United States
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Washington University/St. Louis Children's Hospital
St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can Co-Designed support help parents embrace sickle cell care?
- Can community hospitals in zambia master severe disease care?
- A Pocket-Sized coach for sickle cell: can an app turn Pill-Taking into a habit?
- Can a phone app keep teens on track with sickle cell treatment?
- A common amino acid may calm sickle cell pain crises — a trial puts it to the test
- A drug that protects the liver may make stem cell transplants safer for children with sickle cell disease