Preventing ear trauma during hyperbaric oxygen therapy with pseudoephedrine

Pseudoephedrine Prophylaxis for Prevention of Middle Ear Barotrauma in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Not applicable Interventional John Muir Health · NCT05697328

This study is testing if taking pseudoephedrine can help prevent ear problems in people receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorJohn Muir Health Academic / other
Locations1 site (Walnut Creek, California)
Trial IDNCT05697328 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research investigates whether pseudoephedrine can prevent middle ear trauma in patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Participants will take either a pseudoephedrine pill or a placebo before their HBOT session. Their ears will be examined before and after the therapy, and they will report any ear pain experienced. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of pseudoephedrine in reducing ear-related complications during HBOT.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are new patients aged 18 to 80 who require hyperbaric oxygen therapy and can swallow a pill.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to pseudoephedrine or those requiring immediate hyperbaric therapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could help reduce the incidence of ear trauma in patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of pseudoephedrine in this context is novel, similar studies on preventing barotrauma have shown varying degrees of success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* New patient requiring HBOT (either inpatient or outpatient)
* Age greater than or equal to 18 years and less than 80 years
* Fluent in English
* Full decision capacity
* Able and medically cleared to swallow a pill

Exclusion Criteria:

* Enrollment would delay hyperbaric therapy more than 30 minutes in patients with emergent indications (example: Central Retinal Arterial Occlusion, Carbon Monoxide, Air Gas Embolism)
* Contraindication to pseudoephedrine (monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) use, pregnancy, glaucoma, heart disease, allergy to drug class)
* Systolic Blood Pressure \>160
* Diastolic Blood Pressure \> 90
* Heart Rate \>100
* Decongestant/antihistamine/pseudoephedrine/nasal steroid/oxymetazoline use within 12 hours.
* Prisoner
* Intubated
* Unable to swallow oral medications

Where this trial is running

Walnut Creek, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Barotraumahyperbaric oxygen therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.