Can a common painkiller combo stop Post-Surgery confusion in seniors?

NCT ID NCT05834569

Symptom relief Sponsor: Korea University Guro Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at whether giving elderly patients a combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen (Maxigesic) during and after minimally invasive lung surgery could reduce the risk of postoperative delirium (sudden confusion). The trial planned to compare the drug group to a placebo group, but it was terminated early and only enrolled 25 people. Because of this, the results are not strong enough to draw clear conclusions.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Maxigesic (acetaminophen and ibuprofen combination)
What this could lead to: If it worked, this could point toward a simple way to lower the risk of confusion after lung surgery in older adults.
What could go wrong: The trial was terminated early and very small (25 people), so results are limited. It's unclear if the drug truly helps, and risks include allergic reactions or bleeding.

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

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Phase 4

Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.

Participants

25 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jun 2023

Finished

Jan 2025

Lead sponsor

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

65 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged 65 years or older undergoing minimally invasive lung lobectomy or segmentectomy Exclusion Criteria: * Hypersensitivity to the main ingredients and additives of Maxigesic * Hypersensitivity to aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) * Alcoholism / Alcohol intoxication * Severe hematological abnormalities * Bleeding tendency (e.g., Spontaneous bleeding) * Severe hepatic dysfunction (AST, AST ≥2.5 \* upper normal limit(UNL) or Total bilirubin ≥3.0 mg/dl) * Severe renal dysfunction (eGFR \<30 ml/min/1.73m2 or Dialysis) * Severe heart failure (Left ventricle ejection fraction \<30%) * Uncontrolled hypertension(HTN) (Systolic blood pressure \>180 mmHg) * Symptomatic asthma in need of treatment * Anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents are maintained for up to 5 days before surgery * Barbiturates or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) * High-dose methotrexate (MTX) for cancer treatment * Preoperative cognitive impairment, dementia, or delirium * Inability to understand the research and instructions for this study

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

delirium Emergence Delirium lung neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Aged Delirium Lung neoplasms Robotic surgical procedures Thoracic surgery, video assisted

Can a common painkiller combo stop Post-Surgery confusion in seniors?

What the study statuses mean