Two intravenous ketorolac dosing schedules for pain after cesarean delivery

Comparison of Two Dosing Regimens of Intravenous Ketorolac for Post-Cesarean Pain Control: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · Cairo University · NCT07244757

This trial will test whether two IV ketorolac dosing schedules provide better pain relief after elective cesarean delivery for full-term women.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment126 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 35 Years
SexFemale
SponsorCairo University (other)
Locations1 site (Cairo)
Trial IDNCT07244757 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Participants receive spinal anesthesia (10 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% plus 25 mcg fentanyl) with prophylactic vasopressor, and after delivery all receive 8 mg dexamethasone plus the first IV ketorolac dose. Patients are randomized to receive either 15 mg or 30 mg IV ketorolac, with subsequent doses every 8 hours as part of a multimodal analgesic protocol that includes local wound infiltration with 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine at fascial closure. Postoperative pain is managed using a Numeric Rating Scale and rescue IV nalbuphine (0.1 mg/kg, titrated) if pain exceeds 3. The main comparison is analgesic efficacy and opioid‑sparing effect between the two ketorolac regimens after elective cesarean delivery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Full-term, singleton pregnant women aged 18–35 scheduled for elective cesarean under spinal anesthesia who have no contraindications to NSAIDs or the protocol medications.

Not a fit: Women with renal impairment, active gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic opioid use, allergy to study drugs, or those who require conversion to general anesthesia are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could improve post-cesarean pain control and reduce opioid use by identifying an optimal ketorolac dose.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show ketorolac is effective and opioid‑sparing for postoperative analgesia, but direct comparisons of 15 mg versus 30 mg dosing after cesarean are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* full-term, singleton, pregnant women,
* aged 18-35 years,
* scheduled for elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia

Exclusion Criteria:

* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical class III or more
* multiple gestation. Patients with a history of allergy to any of the study drugs,
* renal impairment,
* gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration
* inflammatory bowel disease,
* chronic pain or regular opioid use.
* Inability to comprehend the numeric pain scale (NRS) or the ObsQoR-11 score
* requirement for conversion to general anesthesia after spinal anesthesia

Where this trial is running

Cairo

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Postoperative Analgesia, Cesarean Delivery, Ketorolac

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.