Oral Ketamine for Vaso-Occlusive Pain in Sickle Cell Crisis

This study is looking at whether oral ketamine can help children and young adults (ages 12-24) who are experiencing severe pain from a sickle cell crisis (vaso-occlusive crisis). Many patients with sickle cell disease have pain that isn't fully controlled by strong pain medicines like opioids. This study aims to see if giving oral ketamine, a different type of pain medicine, can be a helpful addition. All 10 participants will receive oral ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) every 8 hours for 48 hours while in the hospital. Researchers will measure changes in your pain intensity using a scale to see how well the treatment works. The study is also looking at how practical it is to give oral ketamine in this setting.

Study design
This is an interventional study with 10 participants, all of whom will receive oral ketamine. The study does not specify a phase or blinding.
What's involved
You would receive oral ketamine every 8 hours for 48 hours. Your pain scores, sedation levels, vital signs, and any side effects will be checked every 4 hours.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain and side effects will be monitored for 48 hours during the study period.

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NCT05378555

Oral Ketamine for Treatment of Vaso-Occlusive Pain

Recruiting
PHASE3Ages 12–24InterventionalTreatment
Boston Children's Hospital
~10 participants
Updated 2025-11-21 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Ketamine Hydrochloride

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in pain intensity scores using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Pain Score Scale
Measured over Baseline, and then every 4 hours for 48 hours
Vaso-occlusive Crisis
1 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts1

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Patients 12-24 years of age who require admission for vaso-occlusive pain

Exclusion

Patients who have had side effects to previous use of intravenous ketamine for treatment of vaso-occlusive pain that would preclude using ketamine for future pain episodes.
Patient refusal to participate
  • Change in pain intensity scores using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Pain Score ScaleBaseline, and then every 4 hours for 48 hours

    The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) will be used to measure pain. Scores are recorded on a line that represents a continuum between "no pain" and "worst pain."