Back to search results

Pilot Study: Oral Ketamine vs. Oral Oxycodone for ED Pain

This pilot study is testing if oral ketamine can help control pain for emergency department (ED) patients who need more pain relief. Researchers are comparing oral ketamine to oral oxycodone to see which one works better at reducing pain and if one leads to needing less additional opioid medication within 24 hours. You might be able to join if you are an ED patient between 18 and 75 years old, speak English, and have musculoskeletal pain (like back, neck, or limb pain) or other limb pain that your doctor thinks needs a "second line" pain medicine (like an opioid). The study aims to enroll 60 participants.

Study design
This is a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing oral ketamine and oral oxycodone. It is un-blinded, meaning both you and your doctor will know which medication you receive.
What's involved
You will receive either oral ketamine or oral oxycodone. Your pain will be assessed at 30 minutes and 60 minutes after taking the study medication.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The study will assess the need for additional opioid medication within 24 hours after the initial dose of study medication.

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

NCT07670507

Pilot Randomized Control Trial Comparing Oral Ketamine and Oral Oxycodone for Pain Control in Emergency Department Patients

Not Yet Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 18–75InterventionalTreatment
Albany Medical College
~60 participants
Updated 2026-06-26 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:oral ketamineoxycodone

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in mean pain score
Measured over This will be assessed at 30 minutes and 60 minutes after receiving the study drugs.

Conditions

Pain Management

Explore related trials

Musculoskeletal back or neck painMusculoskeletal extremity painNociceptive extremity pain

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
New York1

Who to contact

Michael Waxman, MD
[email protected]
518-262-3443
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

ED patient aged 18 years or older AND
English proficient AND
Able to give informed consent AND
Has a painful condition in the ED that includes any of the following: Musculoskeletal extremity pain, Musculoskeletal back or neck pain, Other nociceptive extremity pain
AND treating provider has deemed the patient necessitating 'second line pain therapy' (meaning: opioids or ketamine)

Exclusion

Prisoner status
Pregnant
Non-English proficient
Cannot give informed consent
Requires emergent intravenous pain medicine (as deemed by the treating provider)
Prior participation in the study
Previous diagnosis of opioid use disorder
Previous ketamine addiction
Patient is in hospice or other palliative care measures
Contraindication to ketamine, including: Cystitis or bladder pain, Intracranial hypertension, Known coronary artery disease, Age greater than 75 years old, History of prior adverse reaction to ketamine or oxycodone, History or current major psychiatric disorder (as deemed by the treating ED clinician) or history of psychosis

What this trial measures

  • Change in mean pain scoreThis will be assessed at 30 minutes and 60 minutes after receiving the study drugs.

    This reflects the mean difference between the pain scores before and after the intervention.