Painkiller showdown: can cancer patients ditch paracetamol while on opioids?
NCT ID NCT05088876
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at whether cancer patients already taking strong opioids (like morphine) still need paracetamol for pain control. Researchers planned to have 7 participants stop their regular paracetamol in a blinded way, but the trial was terminated early. The goal was to see if pain levels stayed the same without paracetamol.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Paracetamol
- What this could lead to
- If successful, it could show that paracetamol is unnecessary for some cancer patients already on strong opioids, simplifying their medication.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early with only 7 participants, so results are very limited and not reliable. It may not apply to all patients.
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
-
7 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Aug 2024
- Finished
-
Mar 2026
- 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
-
18 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.
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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: * Male and female patients receiving a WHO step III opioid (i.e. morphine, oxycodone, methadone, fentanyl, hydromorphone, or buprenorphine) in combination with paracetamol (minimum dose 1.5 g/day) * Age ≥ 18 at screening * Ability to understand the study procedures and to provide written informed consent * Stable analgesia before randomisation, defined as no required changes in the analgesic treatment during the previous 7 days Exclusion Criteria: * Participation in another interventional trial within 30 days prior to randomisation, with the exception of cancer treatment trials * Changes of the dosage or start of other (co-)analgesics (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, neuroleptics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), dipyrone), within the last 7 days preceding randomisation * Surgery within the 14 days preceding randomisation or surgery planned within the duration of the study * Any circumstances, comorbidities or conditions, which, in the opinion of the investigator, may affect full participation in the study or compliance with the study protocol
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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
-
Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Bern, Switzerland
-
Kantonsspital Baden
Baden, Switzerland
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