~95 spots leftby Dec 2026

Intranasal Ketamine + Dexmedetomidine for Procedural Sedation

(Ketodex Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
NP
Overseen byNaveen Poonai, MD
Age: < 18
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Phase 2 & 3
Recruiting
Sponsor: Lawson Health Research Institute
Disqualifiers: Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Hypertension, others
No Placebo Group
Prior Safety Data
Approved in 5 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new way to help children with broken bones feel less pain during treatment. Instead of using a painful method, doctors will give a mix of two medications through the nose. This method aims to make the experience less distressing and more comfortable for children.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial team or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug combination of intranasal ketamine and dexmedetomidine for procedural sedation?

Research shows that intranasal ketamine is effective for sedation in children, as seen in studies where it was used alone or with other drugs like midazolam for dental procedures and emergency department settings. This suggests that ketamine, as part of a combination, could be effective for procedural sedation.12345

Is intranasal ketamine and dexmedetomidine safe for sedation in humans?

Intranasal ketamine and dexmedetomidine have been studied for sedation in children, showing that they are generally safe with minor adverse events. The combination may lead to a longer recovery time compared to dexmedetomidine alone, but both options are effective for sedation.14567

How is the drug combination of intranasal ketamine and dexmedetomidine unique for procedural sedation?

The combination of intranasal ketamine and dexmedetomidine is unique because it offers a novel approach to procedural sedation, potentially improving onset time and maintaining stable heart function while being administered through the nose, which is less invasive than traditional methods.89101112

Research Team

NP

Naveen Poonai, MD

Principal Investigator

Western University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for children aged 4-17 with orthopedic injuries like forearm fractures or dislocations needing sedation, weighing up to 60 kg. They must be able to follow the study's procedures and have no severe health issues like heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or cognitive impairments that prevent consent.

Inclusion Criteria

I have had a dislocated shoulder or elbow.
Your fracture is not severe or very short.
I am undergoing a painful medical procedure.
See 10 more

Exclusion Criteria

American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3 or greater;
I have obstructive sleep apnea.
Your doctor has determined that your heart or blood pressure is not stable.
See 19 more

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive intranasal dexmedetomidine plus ketamine for procedural sedation during closed reduction of fractures

4 hours
1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including adverse effects and satisfaction

72 hours

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Dexmedetomidine (Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist)
  • Ketamine (NMDA Receptor Antagonist)
Trial OverviewThe trial tests intranasal dexmedetomidine plus ketamine (IN Ketodex) against IV ketamine for sedation in kids during bone setting. It aims to see if IN Ketodex can provide deep enough sedation without the pain of an IV line.
Participant Groups
4Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: IN Ketodex (D4K2)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Dexmedetomidine (Pfizer, Kirkland, Quebec), single-dose, 4 mcg/kg (0.04 mL/kg) of 100 mcg/mL solution, maximum of 200 mcg (2 mL) THEN Ketamine (Sandoz, Mississauga, Ontario), single dose, 2 mg/kg (0.04 mL/kg) of 50 mg/mL solution, maximum of 200 mg (4 mL) (D4K2), both delivered intranasally using a mucosal atomizer device (MAD) and divided to both nares AND 0.9% normal saline 0.03 mL/kg delivered intravenously to a maximum of 2 mL
Group II: IN Ketodex (D3K3)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Dexmedetomidine (Pfizer, Kirkland, Quebec), single-dose, 3 mcg/kg (0.03 mL/kg) of 100 mcg/mL solution, maximum of 200 mcg (2 mL) THEN Ketamine (Sandoz, Mississauga, Ontario), single dose, 3 mg/kg (0.06 mL/kg) of 50 mg/mL solution, maximum of 300 mg (6 mL) (D3K3), both delivered intranasally using a mucosal atomizer device (MAD) and divided to both nares AND 0.9% normal saline 0.03 mL/kg delivered intravenously to a maximum of 2 mL
Group III: IN Ketodex (D2K4)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Dexmedetomidine (Pfizer, Kirkland, Quebec), single-dose, 2 mcg/kg (0.02 mL/kg) of 100 mcg/mL solution, maximum of 200 mcg (2 mL) THEN Ketamine (Sandoz, Mississauga, Ontario), single dose, 4 mg/kg (0.08 mL/kg) of 50 mg/mL solution, maximum of 400 mg (8 mL) (D2K4), both delivered intranasally using a mucosal atomizer device (MAD) and divided to both nares AND 0.9% normal saline 0.03 mL/kg delivered intravenously to a maximum of 2 mL
Group IV: IV KetamineActive Control1 Intervention
Ketamine, single dose, 1.5 mg/kg (0.03 mL/kg) of 50 mg/mL solution delivered intravenously, to a maximum of 100 mg (2 mL) AND two aliquots of 0.9% normal saline in 3 possible combinations: (i) 0.04 mL/kg (max 2 mL) then 0.04 mL/kg (max 4 mL) (placebo D4K2), (ii) 0.03 mL/kg (max 2 mL) then 0.06 mL/kg (max 6 mL) (placebo D3K3), (iii) 0.02 mL/kg (max 2 mL) then 0.08 mL/kg (max 8 mL) (placebo D2K4), delivered intranasally using a MAD and divided to both nares

Ketamine is already approved in Canada for the following indications:

🇨🇦
Approved in Canada as Spravato for:
  • Treatment-resistant depression

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Lawson Health Research Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials
684
Recruited
432,000+

Dr. Michael Strong

Lawson Health Research Institute

Chief Medical Officer

MD

Roy Butler profile image

Roy Butler

Lawson Health Research Institute

Chief Executive Officer

PhD in Health Sciences

Naveen Poonai

Lead Sponsor

Trials
3
Recruited
830+

Findings from Research

Intranasal (IN) ketamine is a safe and effective alternative for providing analgesia and anxiolysis in pediatric emergency department patients, with 100% provider comfort and high satisfaction scores (90 out of 100).
The use of IN ketamine resulted in a significantly shorter emergency department length of stay (mean 237.9 minutes) compared to traditional intravenous sedation methods (mean 332.4 minutes), while maintaining a low rate of minor adverse events (6%).
Use of Intranasal Ketamine in Pediatric Patients in the Emergency Department.Guthrie, AM., Baum, RA., Carter, C., et al.[2023]
Intravenous (i.v.) ketamine can be safely administered by emergency physicians to children for procedures, with only minor adverse effects such as transient apnea and mild agitation observed in a study of 156 cases over 9 years.
The sedation characteristics of i.v. ketamine are comparable to those of intramuscular (i.m.) ketamine, indicating that both routes can be effectively used for pediatric sedation in emergency settings.
Intravenous ketamine for pediatric sedation in the emergency department: safety profile with 156 cases.Green, SM., Rothrock, SG., Harris, T., et al.[2022]
Intranasal dexmedetomidine alone is as effective as a combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine for sedating children during dental procedures, with similar levels of quiet behavior observed in both groups.
Using dexmedetomidine alone resulted in fewer adverse events and a faster recovery time compared to the combination with ketamine, making it a safer option for outpatient pediatric sedation.
Intranasal Dexmedetomidine Compared to a Combination of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine with Ketamine for Sedation of Children Requiring Dental Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Sado-Filho, J., Corrêa-Faria, P., Viana, KA., et al.[2021]

References

A comparative evaluation of intranasal midazolam, ketamine and their combination for sedation of young uncooperative pediatric dental patients: a triple blind randomized crossover trial. [2019]
S-ketamine and s-norketamine plasma concentrations after nasal and i.v. administration in anesthetized children. [2016]
Randomized clinical trial on the efficacy of intranasal or oral ketamine-midazolam combinations compared to oral midazolam for outpatient pediatric sedation. [2020]
Use of Intranasal Ketamine in Pediatric Patients in the Emergency Department. [2023]
Oral transmucosal ketamine: an effective premedication in children. [2019]
Intravenous ketamine for pediatric sedation in the emergency department: safety profile with 156 cases. [2022]
Intranasal Dexmedetomidine Compared to a Combination of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine with Ketamine for Sedation of Children Requiring Dental Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial. [2021]
Analysis of 17 948 pediatric patients undergoing procedural sedation with a combination of intranasal dexmedetomidine and ketamine. [2019]
Comparison between dexmedetomidine and esketamine in pediatric dentistry surgery. [2022]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Efficacy and safety of intranasal ketamine compared with intranasal dexmedetomidine as a premedication before general anesthesia in pediatric patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [2022]
Two-center randomized controlled trial comparing oral chloral hydrate and intranasal combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine for procedural sedation in children: study protocol. [2023]
Intravenous ketamine plus midazolam is superior to intranasal midazolam for emergency paediatric procedural sedation. [2019]