Morphine or Ketamine for Analgesia (NCT06835504) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingPhase 3
Morphine or Ketamine for Analgesia
United States1,010 participantsStarted 2026-09-01
Plain-language summary
Pain is common in children presenting to the emergency department but is frequently undertreated, leading to both short- and long-term consequences. Morphine is the standard treatment for children with moderate to severe acute pain, but its use is associated with serious side effects and caregiver and clinician concerns related to opioid administration. The investigators aim to determine if sub-dissociative ketamine is non-inferior to morphine for treating acute pain and a preferable alternative for treating acute pain in children because of its more favorable side effect profile and potential long-term benefits related to pain-related function, analgesic use/misuse, and mental and behavioral health outcomes.
Who can participate
Age range
6 Years – 17 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Abdominal pain or isolated long-bone extremity fracture (suspected or proven)
. Self-reported pain score of ≥ 6/10
. Requires IV morphine for analgesia as determined by the treating physician
Exclusion criteria
. Weight \> 82.4 kg
. Known allergy/contraindication to morphine or ketamine
. Antecedent receipt of ketamine related to presenting complaint
. Inability to use self-report measures of pain or questionnaires
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial compares morphine to ketamine for pain control in children — given my child's specific situation (abdominal pain or a fracture), which of those two medications would my doctor normally lean toward, and is there a reason one might be safer or more effective for us?
2Since this trial is in Phase 3, it sounds like both medications have been studied before, but the trial is still measuring adverse events — what kinds of side effects should we be aware of with each drug, and how would the medical team monitor my child if something goes wrong?
3The trial isn't recruiting yet — does that mean we'd need to wait before we could even be considered, and would waiting affect my child's pain management or treatment right now?
4The study is also measuring traumatic stress in children after a painful event — is that something my doctor is already thinking about for my child, and would standard care outside this trial include that kind of follow-up?
5If we decided not to participate in this trial, what would the standard approach be for managing my child's pain from a fracture or abdominal injury, and how does that compare to what's being tested here?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Pain intensity
Timeframe: Up to 120 minutes after completion of study drug administration or until a terminal event occurs
2
Adverse events, acute
Timeframe: Up to 120 minutes after completion of study drug administration or until a terminal event occurs
3
Pain-related function
Timeframe: Days 1, 2,3, 7 and 30 after discharge.
4
Traumatic stress, primary assessment
Timeframe: Baseline (at time of enrollment) and days 7, 30, 90 and 180 after discharge.