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Ketorolac for Post Adenotonsillectomy Pain

Phase 4
Waitlist Available
Led By Laura Gilbertson, MD
Research Sponsored by Emory University
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea
Be younger than 65 years old
Must not have
Known renal impairment
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 10 minutes post-op, 20 minutes post-op, pacu discharge (up to 261 minutes)
Awards & highlights
Drug Has Already Been Approved
No Placebo-Only Group
Pivotal Trial
All Individual Drugs Already Approved
Approved for 60 Other Conditions

Summary

This trial tests if ketorolac can reduce the amount of morphine needed for pain relief in children with OSA after adenotonsillectomy. Ketorolac helps manage pain and inflammation, potentially lowering the risk of opioid-related breathing issues. Ketorolac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has been used to manage moderate to severe pain in various settings, including postoperative pain in children.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for children with obstructive sleep apnea undergoing adenotonsillectomy at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Egleston. Participants must have a diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing, and their parent or guardian must consent to the study. Kids with coagulation defects, renal impairment, or on long-term NSAID therapy cannot join.
What is being tested?
The study tests if Ketorolac can reduce the need for morphine after surgery in kids with sleep apnea. It compares two groups: one receiving Ketorolac plus standard care and another getting only standard care post-adenotonsillectomy.
What are the potential side effects?
Ketorolac may cause side effects like stomach pain, bleeding, kidney problems, and allergic reactions. Since it's given to reduce opioid use (morphine), it might help lessen opioid-related side effects such as nausea or constipation.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or similar sleep breathing issues.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
Select...
I have kidney problems.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~10 minutes post-op, 20 minutes post-op, pacu discharge (up to 261 minutes)
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 10 minutes post-op, 20 minutes post-op, pacu discharge (up to 261 minutes) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Morphine
Secondary study objectives
Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Scale Score
Number of Participants With Post-Tonsillectomy Bleeding
Pain Medication Administration
+1 more

Awards & Highlights

Drug Has Already Been Approved
The FDA has already approved this drug, and is just seeking more data.
No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.
Pivotal Trial
The final step before approval, pivotal trials feature drugs that have already shown basic safety & efficacy.
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 60 Other Conditions
This treatment demonstrated efficacy for 60 other conditions.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: KetorolacExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Participants randomized to the ketorolac group will receive 0.5mg/kg IV at the end of the adenotonsillectomy procedure, once hemostasis has been achieved
Group II: Standard of CareActive Control1 Intervention
Participants randomized to this group will receive the pain management standard of care for the adenotonsillectomy procedure.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Dexmedetomidine
FDA approved
Ketorolac
FDA approved

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.
Mechanism Of Action
Side Effect Profile
Prior Approvals
Other Research
Common treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) include Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy, oral appliances, and surgical interventions. PAP therapy maintains airway patency by delivering continuous air pressure through a mask, preventing airway collapse during sleep. Oral appliances reposition the jaw or tongue to keep the airway open. Surgical interventions remove or reduce obstructive tissues in the airway. These treatments are essential as they directly address the physical obstructions causing OSA, thereby improving breathing and reducing associated health risks. While NSAIDs like ketorolac are not used to treat OSA directly, they can help manage postoperative pain and reduce opioid use following surgical treatments for OSA.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Emory UniversityLead Sponsor
1,704 Previous Clinical Trials
2,607,235 Total Patients Enrolled
Laura Gilbertson, MDPrincipal Investigator - Emory University
Emory University
1 Previous Clinical Trials
120 Total Patients Enrolled
~8 spots leftby Dec 2025