๐Ÿ›๏ธ Verified NIH Record โ€ข Updated 2026-03-05

Optimal Timing of Ketamine Initiation for SCD Pain (NCT07450430)

Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Study to Evaluate Optimal Timing of Ketamine Initiation

๐ŸŸก Not Yet Recruiting Phase3 ๐Ÿ’Š Investigational Drug / Biologic Sponsor: Boston Children's Hospital

๐Ÿฉบ Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the use of early ketamine decreases the chance of admission to the hospital in patients with sickle cell disease presenting with pain. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Does ketamine given within 1 hour of acute care presentation decrease the chance of hospital admission? * If admitted, does continuing ketamine in the first few hours of admission decrease opioid use or length of stay compared to those who start it later in the admission? Researchers will compare the study arm to patients with sickle cell disease who receive placebo within 1 hour of presentation for the first aim. Participants will be given ketamine/placebo by mouth without 1 hour of presentation. If admitted, all participants will be able to start open label IV ketamine upon admission to the floor based on their clinical needs. Participants who end up starting ketamine will be reviewed to determine if early start to ketamine is helpful in reducing opioid use and length of stay.

Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.

Location: Boston Children's Hospital โ€” Brookline, Massachusetts

Age range: 6 Years to 24 Years

๐Ÿงช Interventions in This Study

๐Ÿ“‹ "Do I Qualify?" โ€” 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Full eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria โ†—

๐Ÿ“ All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)

  • Boston Children's Hospital โ€” Brookline, Massachusetts

๐Ÿ“ž Contact the Study Coordinator

Phone: (617) 355-6000

Email: natasha.archer@childrens.harvard.edu

Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA ยง 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

๐Ÿ’ก How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
๐Ÿ›๏ธ View Official NIH Record โ†—