The analgesic efficacy of ketorolac for acute pain.
M S Catapano
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8655940/Actively Recruiting
Led by Hackensack Meridian Health · Updated on 2026-05-22
86
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
Researchers are evaluating how different doses of ketorolac affect pain relief duration in adults with suspected renal colic who visit the emergency department. This study focuses on comparing 15 mg versus 30 mg intravenous ketorolac to determine which dose provides longer-lasting pain control, especially noting that previous studies have not fully assessed ketorolacs peak analgesic effect at 120 minutes. The study is a prospective, randomized, triple-blind trial aiming to better understand optimal dosing for this common cause of emergency pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either 15 mg or 30 mg of intravenous ketorolac. The study will monitor pain reduction at 120 minutes after dosing, with additional measurements at 90, 150, and 180 minutes. Researchers will also track if participants need extra pain medication and details about any additional analgesics used. The goal is to identify the dose that maintains effective pain relief while minimizing side effects. During the study, participants will have their pain evaluated at multiple time points using a pain scale. Researchers will collect information on the need for rescue pain medication and type and dose of such medication. The study includes adults aged 18 to 65 who present with moderate to severe pain associated with suspected renal colic. Participation involves receiving the study drug and undergoing pain assessments over several hours in the emergency department setting.
CONDITIONS
Evaluation of the Effects of Ketorolac Dose on Duration of Analgesia in Emergency Department (ED) Renal Colic Patients
B
Biren Bhatt, MD
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Hackensack Meridian Health
Lead Sponsor
This table compares participation in this trial with other options available for this condition. The information is drawn from published research and the trial’s study details and is provided for educational purposes only.
| Factors | 15mg IV Ketorolac | 30mg IV Ketorolac |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | A single intravenous dose of 15mg ketorolac administered for acute pain relief in adults with suspected renal colic. | A single intravenous dose of 30mg ketorolac administered for acute pain relief in adults with suspected renal colic. |
| Role in trial | Investigational lower-dose regimen to assess if it offers analgesia similar to higher dose. | Direct comparator and higher-dose regimen commonly used in emergency pain management. |
| Main use or purpose | Relief of moderate to severe pain in patients with renal colic in the emergency department setting. | Relief of moderate to severe pain in emergency department patients presenting with renal colic. |
| How is it given or performed? | Given as a single intravenous injection in the emergency department following eligibility assessment. | Given as a single intravenous injection in the emergency department after randomization. |
| Evidence status | Multiple randomized controlled trials indicate that 15mg IV ketorolac provides similar short-term pain relief for acute renal colic as higher doses, with no clinically meaningful reduction in analgesic effectiveness or greater need for rescue medication. | Clinical trials show that 30mg IV ketorolac is effective for pain relief in renal colic, but recent evidence suggests higher doses do not provide substantially greater benefit than 15mg. |
| Important limitations | Although supported by recent evidence, less is known about long-term adverse effect rates and rare complications when using lower single doses for acute pain outside of randomized trials. | Higher doses may not improve pain relief further and may increase risk for dose-related adverse effects such as gastrointestinal or kidney complications; however, most studies were powered for short-term pain outcomes and may not detect less common harms. |
Disclaimer: This comparison is created with the help of artificial intelligence(AI) and may contain errors or missing information. It is not medical advice and does not mean one option is better or safer than another. Clinical trials are still being studied, and joining a trial is your choice. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any decisions.
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Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person) at the Emergency Department for eligibility assessment
Duration - Single administration with observation up to 180 minutes
Participants receive either 15mg or 30mg intravenous ketorolac for acute renal colic pain management in the Emergency Department.
1 treatment visit with observation visits at 90, 120, 150, and 180 minutes after medication administration
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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M S Catapano
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8655940/Emil Soleyman-Zomalan, Sergey Motov, Antonios Likourezos...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28123620/Lily Eidinejad, Maryam Bahreini, Ayat Ahmadi...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33370510/G A Jelinek
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11082068/Sergey Motov, Matthew Yasavolian, Antonios Likourezos...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27993418/Hackensack Meridian Health
Lead Sponsor