Morphine or Ketamine for Analgesia
Eligible age
6–17 yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
7 states
Healthy volunteers
No
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About this 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.
Sponsor: Columbia University
You may qualify if…
- ✓ 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
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ 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)
Where it's recruiting
Los Angeles · Sacramento
Wilmington
Atlanta
New York
Pittsburgh
Seattle
Milwaukee
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT06835504 · last updated 2026-10-20