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Morphine or Ketamine for Pain in Children

This study is looking at two different medicines, ketamine hydrochloride and morphine sulphate, to treat acute pain in children. Doctors often use morphine, but it can have serious side effects. This study wants to see if ketamine hydrochloride is just as good as morphine for reducing pain, but with fewer side effects. They also want to see if ketamine hydrochloride can help with long-term pain-related function and mental health. You might be able to join if you are between 6 and 17 years old, have abdominal pain or a broken bone, and your pain is rated 6 out of 10 or higher. The study is currently recruiting about 1010 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive one of the study medications. It aims to enroll about 1010 participants.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain intensity and adverse events (side effects) will be checked for up to 120 minutes after receiving the study drug. Pain-related function will be checked on days 1, 2, 3, 7, and 30 after you leave the hospital.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06835504

Morphine or Ketamine for Analgesia

Not Yet Recruiting
PHASE3Ages 6–17InterventionalTreatment
Columbia University
~1,010 participants
Updated 2026-06-09 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Ketamine hydrochlorideMorphine sulphate

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 8 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Pain intensity
Measured over Up to 120 minutes after completion of study drug administration or until a terminal event occurs
+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Abdominal Pain
Isolated Extremity Fracture
Pain
Pediatrics

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Abdominal PainFracture

Where it's being run

8 sites across 7 states
California2
Delaware1
Georgia1
New York1
Pennsylvania1
Washington1
Wisconsin1

Study leadership

  • Daniel S Tsze, MD, MPH · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Columbia University
  • Amy L Drendel, DO, MS · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Medical College of Wisconsin

Who to contact

Daniel S Tsze, MD, MPH
[email protected]
917-375-2647
Email the study team

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What this trial measures

  • Pain intensityUp to 120 minutes after completion of study drug administration or until a terminal event occurs

    Self-reported pain intensity measured using the Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS). Scored from 0 to 10. A higher score indicates a worse outcome.

  • Adverse events, acuteUp to 120 minutes after completion of study drug administration or until a terminal event occurs

    Examples of adverse events include, but are not limited to, cardiopulmonary adverse events (e.g., hypoxia, respiratory depression, hypotension); opioid-related adverse events; and adverse events as measured using the Side Effects Rating Scale of Dissociative Anesthetics (SERSDA).

  • Pain-related functionDays 1, 2,3, 7 and 30 after discharge.

    Pain intensity and related functional limitations due to pain, measured using the Parents' Postoperative Pain Measure (PPPM). Scored from 0 to 10. A higher score indicates a worse outcome.

  • Traumatic stress, primary assessmentBaseline (at time of enrollment) and days 7, 30, 90 and 180 after discharge.

    Stress related to the pain experienced measured using the Child Stress Disorder Checklist (CSDC-SF). Scored from 0 to 8. A higher score indicates a worse outcome.