Nerve block may ease headaches after brain bleeding, reduce opioid use
NCT ID NCT06621329
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests a nerve block (sphenopalatine ganglion block) given through the nose to treat severe headaches after a type of brain bleed called subarachnoid hemorrhage. About 40 adults with a secured aneurysm will receive either the block plus standard pain meds or standard meds alone. The goal is to see if the block lowers pain scores and reduces the need for opioids during the hospital stay.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- bupivacaine with or without dexamethasone
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new way to manage severe headaches after brain bleeding and reduce reliance on opioids.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early-phase pilot study with only 40 people. The nerve block may not provide better pain relief than standard care, and there are risks from the procedure or medications.
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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Phase 2/3
Runs two stages together: whether the treatment works, then large-scale confirmation.
- Participants
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About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2024
- Expected to finish
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Oct 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 100 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: * Acute subarachnoid hemorrhage * Age greater than 18 years * Secured aneurysm * Patient can verbalize pain score to clinician, nurse, medical translator, or surrogate decision * maker * Patient or surrogate decision maker is available to consent Exclusion Criteria: * Less than 18 years old * Unsecured aneurysm * Pregnant or lactating * Prisoner * Unable to verbalize pain score to clinician, nurse, medical translator, or surrogate decision maker * Nasal or facial trauma or surgery within the last three months * Allergy to lidocaine, bupivacaine, or dexamethasone * Patient is unable to consent and no available surrogate decision maker
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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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UC Davis Medical Center
RECRUITINGSacramento, California, 95817, United States
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