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Pain Treatment for Sciatica
NCT00009672 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
This study will test the effectiveness of two drugs-nortriptyline and MS Contin (a type of morphine)-to treat pain caused by lumbar radiculopathy, or sciatica. Sciatica results from damage to the lumbar nerve roots, typically causing back pain and sharp, shooting pain down one or both legs. Although sciatica is common, there are no good treatments for it. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as nortriptyline, and opioids, such as morphine, have been effective in treating other kinds of pain from nerve damage. Patients between 18 and 65 years of age who have had sciatica pain daily for at least 3 months may be eligible for this study. Participants will provide a medical history and occupational and other social information. They will undergo a neurological examination, routine blood tests and an electrocardiogram and will fill out three questionnaires providing information on daily functioning and psychological well-being. This "cross-over" study consists of several parts, including a baseline study and four different treatment regimens. During each part, patients keep a daily log in which they rate their pain, record other procedures they undergo, such as injections and manipulations, and record medication side effects. In the first week of the study, patients remain on their current medications. Any antidepressants or opioids are stopped gradually before starting the drug trials. After the first week, patients go through the following four drug trials in random order: 1. Nortriptyline and inert placebo-Patients take nortriptyline in doses ranging from 25 mg. to 100 mg. and an inert placebo for morphine. (An inert placebo is a dummy pill; it looks like the test drug but has no active ingredient.) 2. MS Contin (morphine) and inert placebo-Patients take MS Contin in doses ranging from 30 mg. to 90 mg. and an inert placebo for nortriptyline. 3. Nortriptyline and MS Contin-Patients take MS Contin and nortriptyline in the same dose ranges as for each drug alone. 4. Activ
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DRUG Morphine
- DRUG Nortriptyline
Study Locations (1)
Maryland
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike — Bethesda
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 80 participants |
| Start Date | 2001-01-30 |
| Est. Completion | 2006-12-12 |
| Phase | Phase 2 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT00009672
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT00009672 describes a study currently listed as completed. It is categorized as Phase 2, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 80 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), which has 60 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 2 conditions, with Sciatica appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Morphine is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT00009672 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Maryland. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT00009672 about?
NCT00009672 is a clinical study titled "Pain Treatment for Sciatica". This study will test the effectiveness of two drugs-nortriptyline and MS Contin (a type of morphine)-to treat pain caused by lumbar radiculopathy, or sciatica. Sciatica results from damage to the lumbar nerve roots, typically causing back pain and sharp, shooting pain down one or both legs. Although...
What is the current status of trial NCT00009672?
This trial is currently completed. It is a Phase 2 study. The enrollment target is 80 participants. The study started on 2001-01-30. Estimated completion is 2006-12-12.
What conditions does trial NCT00009672 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Sciatica, Radiculopathy. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT00009672?
The interventions under investigation include: Morphine (DRUG), Nortriptyline (DRUG). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT00009672?
This trial is sponsored by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), which has 60 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT00009672 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Maryland. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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