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Low-Dose Ketamine for Sickle Cell Pain Crisis

This study is looking at whether low-dose Ketamine works better than opioids (like Morphine or Dilaudid) for treating pain during a sickle cell crisis. Researchers want to see if Ketamine can reduce the number of times patients need to be admitted to the hospital for pain control. They also want to know if Ketamine helps patients get pain relief faster. You might be able to join if you are 2 to 21 years old, have sickle cell disease, and come to the emergency department with a pain crisis. You cannot join if you have a Ketamine allergy, are pregnant, or have certain other health conditions. The study will compare patients who receive Ketamine to those who received standard opioid care in the past.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 400 participants. It compares the use of low-dose Ketamine to standard opioid care.
What's involved
If you participate, you would receive Ketamine within 30 minutes of arriving at the emergency department, and potentially two more doses an hour apart. Vitals and pain levels will be checked frequently.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The study will track hospital admission rates for 36 months after enrollment.

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

NCT07682662

Low Dose Bolus Ketamine For Use In Sickle Cell Pain Crisis

Not Yet Recruiting
PHASE4Ages 2–21InterventionalTreatment
University of Mississippi Medical Center
~400 participants
Updated 2026-07-06 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Standardized Low-dose bolus IV Ketamine within 30 minutes of arrival and every 1 hour as needed for max of 3 doses.Standard Care (in control arm)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Hospital admission rates after using a Ketamine first pathway as compared to after the use of Opioids.
Measured over From time of patient enrollment and IRB approval for 36 months

Conditions

Vaso-Occlusive Pain Episode in Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

Explore related trials

Sickle Cell DiseaseVaso-occlusive pain episode in sickle cell disease

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Mississippi1

Study leadership

  • John N Freeman, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Mississippi Medical Center

Who to contact

Cynthia Karlson, Ph.D.
[email protected]
601-984-2723
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Confirmed Sickle Cell Disease (any genotype), Presenting to the Emergency Department with Vaso-occlusive crisis/pain crisis, Consent obtained

Exclusion

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).

What this trial measures

  • Hospital admission rates after using a Ketamine first pathway as compared to after the use of Opioids.From time of patient enrollment and IRB approval for 36 months