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Ketamine Versus Fentanyl for Surgical Abortions
NCT04871425 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Ketamine is commonly used for procedural sedation and analgesia. It is widely used for trauma cases in the emergency department and is considered a superior agent in the outpatient setting due to its lack of respiratory and cardiovascular depression. In chronic opioid users, ketamine decreases acute pain and reduces postoperative opioid consumption. Few studies have examined the use of ketamine for surgical abortions. Previous studies found significant rates of emergence phenomena; however, this can be prevented if a benzodiazepine is given at the same time. Ketamine deserves further study to determine whether it is an acceptable alternative to a standard opioid-based regimen for surgical abortion. Our primary objective is to compare patient satisfaction after surgical abortion among patients receiving IV ketamine versus IV fentanyl for procedural sedation. Our secondary objectives include postoperative pain, additional pain medication used, and postoperative opioid use after the procedure. Our hypothesis is that ketamine will provide similar patient satisfaction and reduce postoperative opioid use. This will be a randomized controlled noninferiority clinical trial of 84 women receiving either IV ketamine with IV midazolam or IV fentanyl with IV midazolam for outpatient one day surgical abortions up to 13, 6/7 weeks gestation. Both groups will receive a standardized paracervical block and additional pain medication as needed. Our study has the potential to introduce IV ketamine as a satisfactory medication for outpatient surgical abortions. Ketamine may decrease the need for IV fentanyl, reduce postoperative opioid use, and may prove to be a superior analgesic for chronic opioid users.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DRUG Ketamine
- DRUG Fentanyl
Study Locations (1)
Washington
- Cedar River Clinic — Renton
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 110 participants |
| Start Date | 2021-04-27 |
| Est. Completion | 2021-10-14 |
| Phase | Phase 4 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT04871425
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT04871425 describes a study currently listed as completed. It is categorized as Phase 4, 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 110 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is University of Washington, which has 987 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 3 conditions, with Opioid Use appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Ketamine 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: NCT04871425 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Washington. 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 NCT04871425 about?
NCT04871425 is a clinical study titled "Ketamine Versus Fentanyl for Surgical Abortions". Ketamine is commonly used for procedural sedation and analgesia. It is widely used for trauma cases in the emergency department and is considered a superior agent in the outpatient setting due to its lack of respiratory and cardiovascular depression. In chronic opioid users, ketamine decreases acute...
What is the current status of trial NCT04871425?
This trial is currently completed. It is a Phase 4 study. The enrollment target is 110 participants. The study started on 2021-04-27. Estimated completion is 2021-10-14.
What conditions does trial NCT04871425 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Opioid Use, Pain, Procedural, Abortion in First Trimester. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT04871425?
The interventions under investigation include: Ketamine (DRUG), Fentanyl (DRUG). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT04871425?
This trial is sponsored by University of Washington, which has 987 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT04871425 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Washington. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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