Using sublingual sufentanil for managing moderate to severe pain in emergencies.

Management of Moderate to Severe Monotraumatic Pain With Sublingual Sufentanil in an Emergency Situation.

Phase 3 Interventional University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand · NCT06917651

This study is testing if a new way of giving sufentanil under the tongue can help adults with moderate to severe pain from injuries feel better faster in emergency situations compared to regular pain management methods.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment300 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand Academic / other
Locations1 site (France)
Trial IDNCT06917651 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of sublingual sufentanil in managing moderate to severe pain in patients with monotraumatic injuries in emergency situations. The study aims to address the delays in pain management often experienced in emergency departments by comparing the sublingual administration of sufentanil to standard care practices. Participants will be adults with a pain rating of 4 or higher on a numerical scale, and the trial will assess the speed and effectiveness of pain relief provided by the sublingual route. The goal is to improve patient outcomes by providing timely analgesia without the need for intravenous access.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults experiencing moderate to severe pain from a single traumatic injury in the upper or lower limbs.

Not a fit: Patients with polytrauma, those requiring intravenous access, or individuals with contraindications to the analgesic protocol may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the time patients wait for effective pain relief in emergency settings.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using alternative routes of opioid administration for pain management, but this specific approach with sublingual sufentanil is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patient
* Patient with a pain rating on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) ≥ 4
* Pain of monotraumatic origin in the upper or lower limb
* Glasgow Coma Scale = 15
* SaO2 \> 95% in ambient air

Exclusion Criteria:

* Polytrauma
* Analgesic treatment within the 4 hours preceding admission (except paracetamol)
* Woman of childbearing age without effective contraception, declaring pregnancy or at risk of pregnancy, breastfeeding woman, or positive pregnancy test at inclusion
* Patient requiring intravenous access upon admission (e.g., displaced open fracture)
* Contraindication or allergy to any of the molecules in the analgesia protocol
* Refusal to participate
* Known substance abuse or psychiatric disorders
* Known oxygen dependence or COPD
* Not affiliated with social security
* Patient under guardianship, curatorship, deprived of liberty, or under legal protection
* Patient who does not speak or read French

Where this trial is running

France

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 Pain Managementpainsublingual sufentaniltraumatic 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.