Using magnesium infusion to manage pain in critically ill trauma patients
Official title: Magnesium Infusion for Pain Management in Critically Ill Trauma Patients
Run by University of California, Davis · NCT04166877 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 156 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, Davis Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Sacramento, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 7, 2019 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | November 26, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT04166877 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
UC Davis Health
Sacramento, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Christine S Cocanour, MD
- Email: cscocanour@ucdavis.edu
- Phone: 9167347330
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.