Using magnesium infusion to manage pain in critically ill trauma patients

Magnesium Infusion for Pain Management in Critically Ill Trauma Patients

Phase 4 Interventional University of California, Davis · NCT04166877

This study is testing if giving magnesium through an IV can help manage pain and reduce the need for opioids in critically ill trauma patients in the ICU.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment156 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, Davis Academic / other
Locations1 site (Sacramento, California)
Trial IDNCT04166877 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of continuous intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate for pain control in trauma patients admitted to the adult Intensive Care Unit. It is a single center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing magnesium sulfate to a placebo (normal saline) to assess its impact on reducing opioid requirements and pain scores. The study aims to provide an alternative non-narcotic pain management option for critically injured patients who often experience severe pain and require effective pain control.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are trauma patients aged 18-99 who are admitted to an adult intensive care unit and require pain management.

Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit include those with significant head injuries, heart failure, renal failure, or those requiring continuous opioid infusion prior to the study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce the need for narcotic pain relievers in critically ill trauma patients, leading to better pain management and fewer side effects associated with opioids.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with magnesium sulfate for pain management, suggesting that this approach may be effective, although its application in critically ill trauma patients is less explored.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* All trauma patients admitted to an adult intensive care unit
* Signed informed consent
* Hospital or trauma multimodal pain management order set used for pain management
* Ages 18-99

Exclusion Criteria:

* Admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
* Head Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) of greater than 1
* Known heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF \< 40%)
* Renal failure (GFR \< 60)
* Cardiac arrhythmia (except for sinus tachycardia)
* Greater than 5% TBSA burn injuries
* Moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal protocol ordered for patient
* Regular use of opioids in the week prior to injury
* Receiving continuous infusion of opioids
* Patients expected to require general anesthesia between 24 and 48 hours after admission (during study drug administration)
* Patients unable to provide consent is unavailable
* Patients unable to provide a pain score
* Pregnancy
* Prisoners

Where this trial is running

Sacramento, 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 TraumaAcute Painmagnesium sulfatetraumaacute pain
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.