Could laughing gas replace opioids for burn victims?
NCT ID NCT03695887
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-phase trial tests whether disposable nitrous oxide (laughing gas) canisters can reduce pain and anxiety during burn dressing changes. Thirty adult burn patients will try both the gas and a placebo in random order. The goal is to see if this offers a safer alternative to high-dose narcotics.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a safer, non-narcotic option for managing intense pain during burn dressing changes.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small pilot study (30 people). It may not show a clear benefit, and nitrous oxide can cause side effects like nausea or dizziness.
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
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2019
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2029
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 years and older
- 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.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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 * adult burn patients admitted to the Health Sciences Centre * total body surface area burned of 5-20% Exclusion criteria * admitted to intensive care unit * unable to participate in the measurement outcomes (sedated, cognitively impaired, unable to understand English or visually impaired) * medical condition that precludes using nitrous oxide (respiratory disease and significant cardiovascular disease 5). * pregnant * physically unable to hold the canister * \<90% SaO2 on room air * face burn * pre-injury narcotics (relative exclusion) * use of IV ketamine * pre-existing lung injury
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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
1 site. 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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University of Manitoba
RECRUITINGWinnipeg, Manitoba, R3A 1R9, Canada
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