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Morphine or Ketamine for Analgesia

RecruitingPhase 3

Efficacy of Intravenous Sub-Dissociative Ketamine Versus Intravenous Morphine in Children With Acute Pain

Who can join

Ages 6 to 17 · All sexes

Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 6 to \< 18 years old
2. Chief complaint includes abdominal pain OR isolated long-bone extremity fracture (suspected or proven)
3. Self-reported pain score of ≥ 6/10
4. Requires IV morphine for analgesia as determined by the treating physician

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Weighs more than 81.9 kg
2. Known allergy/contraindication to morphine or ketamine
3. Antecedent receipt of ketamine related to presenting complaint
4. Inability to use self-report measures of pain or questionnaires
5. Chronic disease associated with pain
6. Chronic pain conditions requiring use of opioids as an outpatient
7. Abnormal vital signs at baseline, defined as oxygen saturation \<92% and/or low respiratory rate and/or low heart rate and/or low blood pressure per age
8. Altered mental state (e.g., GCS \< 14 or clinical intoxication)
9. Known history of schizophrenia, liver or kidney problems, or osteogenesis imperfecta
10. Concern for open fracture, neurovascular compromise, or compartment syndrome
11. Injuries in addition to the extremity injury (e.g., head, neck, abdomen)
12. Known or reported pregnancy
13. Patients who are breastfeeding
14. Patient or parent/guardian does not speak English or Spanish
15. Patient previously enrolled in this study
16. Known significant or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease
17. Known increased intracranial pressure and/or elevated intraocular pressure
18. Currently taking or having used a monoamine oxidase inhibitor within 14 days
19. Wards of state, foster children, or children in custody

About the study

Pain is common in children presenting to the emergency department but is frequently undertreated, leading to both short- and long-term consequences. Morphine is the standard treatment for children with moderate to severe acute pain, but its use is associated with serious side effects and caregiver and clinician concerns related to opioid administration. The investigators aim to determine if sub-dissociative ketamine is non-inferior to morphine for treating acute pain and a preferable alternative for treating acute pain in children because of its more favorable side effect profile and potential long-term benefits related to pain-related function, analgesic use/misuse, and mental and behavioral health outcomes.

What is being tested

Sponsor: Columbia University · Participants: 1,010 · Started: Oct 17, 2026

Contact the study team

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06835504

Locations in the U.S.

CaliforniaChildren's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles (Not yet recruiting)
UC Davis Children's Hospital, Sacramento
DelawareNemours Children's Hospital, Wilmington
GeorgiaArthur M. Blank Hospital, Atlanta (Not yet recruiting)
New YorkNewYork Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York (Not yet recruiting)
PennsylvaniaUPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh (Not yet recruiting)
WashingtonSeattle Children's Hospital, Seattle
WisconsinChildren's Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Conditions

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Nov 15, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.