Not Yet RecruitingPhase 4

Low Dose Bolus Ketamine For Use In Sickle Cell Pain Crisis

United States400 participantsStarted 2026-08-01

Plain-language summary

The goal of this study is to learn if Ketamine works more efficiently, as compared to Opioids, for Sickle Cell Pain The main questions it aims to answer are: Does Ketamine lower the number of times participants need to be admitted for continued pain control during a Sickle Cell Pain Crisis. Does Ketamine decrease the amount of time it takes to reach adequate pain control/pain score improvement, as compared to Opioids. Patients could have too low or too high blood pressure or sleepiness. Researchers will compare Ketamine to Opioids (Morphine or Dilaudid) to see if Ketamine works to treat pain enough that you do not need to be admitted to the hospital. Participants will: On arrival to the Children's ER for Sickle Cell Pain crisis will get Ketamine, instead of Morphine or Dilaudid, along with the typical Tylenol, Toradol, Lidocaine patch for pain control while in the ER. During this time we will follow your reported pain scale (0-10) to monitor your pain response to the Ketamine, as well as follow rate of hospital admission.

Who can participate

Age range

2 Years – 21 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: * Confirmed Sickle Cell Disease (any genotype), Presenting to the Emergency Department with Vaso-occlusive crisis/pain crisis, Consent obtained Exclusion Criteria: * Ketamine allergy, Severe agitation/psychosis, Pregnancy, Hemodynamic instability (as judged by physician), Increased intracranial pressure, Severe hepatic impairment, Ketamine use within the previous 24 hours, Presentation for non-VOC-related pain (i.e. fever, acute chest syndrome, stroke, traumatic injuries etc).

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.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

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

Hospital admission rates after using a Ketamine first pathway as compared to after the use of Opioids.

Timeframe: From time of patient enrollment and IRB approval for 36 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07682662

SponsorUniversity of Mississippi Medical Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2029-08-31

Contact for this trial

Cynthia Karlson, Ph.D.

601-984-2723 ckarlson@umc.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Vaso-Occlusive Pain Episode in Sickle Cell Disease trials