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Opioid Analgesic

Ketamine vs Fentanyl for Traumatic Injury Pain Management (PAIN Trial)

Phase 3
Recruiting
Led By Jason Sperry, MD
Research Sponsored by Jason Sperry
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Intravenous pain medication indicated (CPOT>2, NRS>5) prior to arrival at the trauma center
Be older than 18 years old
Must not have
Females <50 years of age
Advanced airway management prior to first dose administration
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 6 months +/- 1 month following trauma admission
Awards & highlights
All Individual Drugs Already Approved
Approved for 10 Other Conditions
Pivotal Trial
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial will compare the outcomes of patients who receive ketamine or fentanyl for pain management in the prehospital setting.

Who is the study for?
The PAIN trial is for trauma patients with compensated shock (SI>0.9) who need IV pain medication and are being transported to a LITES Trauma center. It's not for those under 18, women under 50, anyone with high blood pressure (SBP>180 mmHg), prior pain meds or advanced airway management, prisoners, allergy to the drugs tested, or if they or family object.
What is being tested?
This study tests how effective ketamine hydrochloride is compared to fentanyl citrate in managing pain for prehospital trauma patients with shock. Patients will be randomly assigned one of these medications without knowing which one they're getting during their transport to the hospital.
What are the potential side effects?
Ketamine may cause changes in blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, hallucinations or confusion. Fentanyl can lead to slowed breathing, low blood pressure, drowsiness or nausea. Both drugs have risks that vary by individual.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I needed strong pain medication through an IV because of severe pain before getting to the trauma center.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I am a woman under 50 years old.
Select...
I have had advanced airway management before my first dose.
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I am under 18 years old.
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I am allergic to fentanyl or ketamine.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~3 months (+/- 1 month) and 6 months (+/- 1 month) following trauma admission
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 3 months (+/- 1 month) and 6 months (+/- 1 month) following trauma admission for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
24-hour mortality
Secondary study objectives
24 hour opioid use
Baseline Pain/Anxiety/PTSD screening
Hospital length of stay
+13 more

Side effects data

From 2020 Phase 4 trial • 75 Patients • NCT03156504
1%
Lightheadedness with low blood pressure
1%
Pump Malfunction
1%
PTSD
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Ketamine

Awards & Highlights

All Individual Drugs Already Approved
Therapies where all constituent drugs have already been approved are likely to have better-understood side effect profiles.
Approved for 10 Other Conditions
This treatment demonstrated efficacy for 10 other conditions.
Pivotal Trial
The final step before approval, pivotal trials feature drugs that have already shown basic safety & efficacy.
No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Ketamine HydrochlorideExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
2 blinded doses 2.5mg/ml ketamine hydrochloride in separately sealed pre-filled syringes Subjects will be administered the first dose over approximately 2 minutes via slow IV push. Pain assessment following administration will be obtained and recorded every 15 minutes. Redosing may occur after 15 minutes if indication for pain management remains and there are no contraindications
Group II: Fentanyl CitrateActive Control1 Intervention
2 blinded doses 10mcg/ml in separately sealed pre-filled syringes Subjects will be administered the first dose over approximately 2 minutes via slow IV push. Pain assessment following administration will be obtained and recorded every 15 minutes. Redosing may occur after 15 minutes if indication for pain management remains and there are no contraindications
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Ketamine
FDA approved

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Jason SperryLead Sponsor
8 Previous Clinical Trials
5,891 Total Patients Enrolled
United States Department of DefenseFED
917 Previous Clinical Trials
333,747 Total Patients Enrolled
Jason Sperry, MDPrincipal InvestigatorUniversity of Pittsburgh
3 Previous Clinical Trials
1,286 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Fentanyl Citrate (Opioid Analgesic) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05437575 — Phase 3
Traumatic Injury Research Study Groups: Fentanyl Citrate, Ketamine Hydrochloride
Traumatic Injury Clinical Trial 2023: Fentanyl Citrate Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05437575 — Phase 3
Fentanyl Citrate (Opioid Analgesic) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05437575 — Phase 3
~379 spots leftby Sep 2025