Could a single ketamine infusion ease daily headaches for months?
NCT ID NCT05306899
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a one-time high-dose intravenous ketamine infusion can reduce the number and intensity of headaches in people with chronic daily headaches. About 56 adults will receive either ketamine or a placebo (saline) and be followed for three months. The goal is to see if ketamine can safely provide lasting relief from this debilitating condition.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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About 56 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2022
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18-75 years 2. CDH diagnosis preceding trial enrollment with headache episodes lasting for 4 or more hours occurring on 15 or more days in a month for 3 or more months (International Headache Society-IHS criteria) 3. Normal liver and kidney function tests Exclusion criteria: 1. Pregnant or breastfeeding patients 2. Pre-existing renal impairment 3. Pre-existing liver impairment 4. Chronic benzodiazepine or antipsychotic medication use 5. History of cerebrovascular event 6. Significant and untreated hypertension or severe cardiac condition 7. Hypothyroidism 8. Glaucoma 9. Concomitant use of strong CYP2B6 or CYP2C8 inhibitor 10. Allergy or intolerance to ketamine 11. Pheochromocytoma 12. Any significant cognitive or language barriers that impede participation 13. CGRP antagonist use in 1 month or Onabotulinum-toxin A 3 months before infusion 14. Active diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 15. Active diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder 16. Patients taking opioid medications with daily Oral Morphine Equivalents ≥80 mg
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Toronto Western Hospital
RECRUITINGToronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada
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Women's College Hospital
RECRUITINGToronto, Ontario, M5S 1B2, Canada
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