Investigation of the Potentiation of the Analgesic Effects of Fentanyl by Ketamine in Humans: a Double-blinded, Randomised, Placebo Controlled, Crossover Study of Experimental Pain

ISRCTN ISRCTN83088383
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN83088383
Secondary identifying numbers MMC
Submission date
10/04/2005
Registration date
11/04/2005
Last edited
07/01/2021
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Signs and Symptoms
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Adam Tucker
Scientific

Dept Anaesthesia
Monash Medical Centre
246 Clayton Road
Clayton
3168
Australia

Phone +61 3 95946666
Email adam.tucker@med.monash.edu.au

Study information

Study designRandomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Not specified
Study typeNot Specified
Scientific titleInvestigation of the Potentiation of the Analgesic Effects of Fentanyl by Ketamine in Humans: a Double-blinded, Randomised, Placebo Controlled, Crossover Study of Experimental Pain
Study hypothesisThe current investigation explored the interaction between ketamine and the opioid fentanyl in the anticipation that a low dose of ketamine might potentiate the analgesic effect of fentanyl. Furthermore, it was hypothesised that the interaction of these drugs might be associated with selective potentiation of analgesia without associated increased sedation; that is that potentiation might occur in the context of a very low dose of ketamine that was not otherwise associated with brain effects such as sedation. It was hoped that the identification of such doses of ketamine may enable better future management of both opioid sensitive physiological pain and NMDA receptor-mediated sensitisation without the disadvantage of increased sedation.
Ethics approval(s)Not provided at time of registration
ConditionPain
InterventionThe ten volunteers each attended five three-hour laboratory sessions on separate occasions. In each session, the volunteer received one of the following treatments:
Placebo (saline)
Propofol
Ketamine
Fentanyl
Ketamine and Fentanyl

Therefore, each volunteer was exposed to each of the five treatments, over five sessions, with the order of treatment randomised for each volunteer. During each session, the test battery was performed prior to drug administration as a measure of baseline and then repeated when the target concentrations were reached.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Specified
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)ketamine, propofol, fentanyl
Primary outcome measurePain threshold to electrical current, pain threshold to contact heat, pain threshold to pressure, visual analogue scale for sedation, Observer Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale (OASS), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), auditory reaction time
Secondary outcome measuresNot provided at time of registration
Overall study start date01/01/2005
Overall study end date31/12/2005

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexNot Specified
Target number of participants10
Total final enrolment10
Participant inclusion criteriaTen healthy male volunteers were recruited via bulletin board advertisements. The volunteers were trained in the test procedures employed and medically screened.
Participant exclusion criteriaVolunteers were excluded if they had a history of cardiac, neurological, or musculoskeletal disease. Other exclusion criteria included a history of drug abuse, pain syndromes, myasthenia gravis, acute narrow angle glaucoma, asthma, or heart failure, concurrent use of any analgesics, sedatives, erythromycin, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, or allergy to propofol, fentanyl, or ketamine.
Recruitment start date01/01/2005
Recruitment end date31/12/2005

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Australia

Study participating centre

Dept Anaesthesia
Clayton
3168
Australia

Sponsor information

Monash Medical Centre (Australia)
Not defined

246 Clayton Road
Clayton
3168
Australia

Phone +61 3 95946666
Email adam.tucker@med.monash.edu.au
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/036s9kg65

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Monash Medical Centre

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 02/04/2005 Yes No

Editorial Notes

07/01/2021: Total final enrolment added.