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Analgesic Efficacy of Morphine Alone or Combined With Paracetamol and/or Ibuprofen for Long-bones Fractures in Children

Phase III Clinical Trial Studying Analgesic Efficacy of Morphine Alone or Combined With Paracetamol and/or Ibuprofen for Long-bones Fractures in Children

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02477007
Acronym
MORPHAPAIN
Enrollment
304
Registered
2015-06-22
Start date
2015-12-03
Completion date
2018-11-21
Last updated
2025-11-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pain, Long-bone Fractures

Keywords

Paediatric emergency, pain, long-bones fractures, morphine, ibuprofen, paracetamol, children

Brief summary

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of two drugs: paracetamol and ibuprofen in association with morphine, compared with morphine alone on analgesia in children seen in the emergency department for a long-bone fracture and also to study the potential synergic effect of the association paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Detailed description

Long-bone fractures are a very common complain for visits in paediatric emergency departments. Since these fractures are often very painful, morphine is considered the cornerstone treatment in case of severe pain. Very few data are available concerning the assessment of analgesic treatment in this condition. In our previous study, less than 50% of patients with a limb fracture had a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ≤ 30 mm after morphine administration. Thus, one study make the hypothesis that the use of a combination of morphine and/or paracetamol and/or NSAID could be an effective and safe option for the treatment of pain due to long bone fractures. We undertake to compare different combinations of paracetamol and ibuprofen with morphine to determine the efficacy and safety of these strategies in emergency department paediatric patients with acute traumatic limb pain. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of two drugs: paracetamol and ibuprofen in association with morphine, compared with morphine alone on analgesia in children seen in the emergency department for a long-bone fracture and also to study the potential synergic effect of the association paracetamol and ibuprofen. Second objectives are * to compare the long term analgesic efficacy of 4 analgesic regimens a)ibuprofen/morphine, b)paracetamol/morphine, c)ibuprofen/paracetamol/morphine and d)morphine for long bone fracture management in the paediatric emergency department. * To assess the tolerance of these 4 regimens. The study is considered as a success if children 2-6 years (6 years included) have a pain score Evendol \< 5 and children 7-17 years (17 years included) have a pain score assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ≤ 30 without additional analgesic treatment 30 minutes after drug administration.

Interventions

DRUGParacetamol

Paracetamol will be an oral solution of 30 mg/ml. The doses of paracetamol will be 15 mg/kg (maximum dose: 1g).

DRUGIbuprofen

Ibuprofen will be an oral suspension of 20mg/ml. The doses of ibuprofen 10 mg/kg (maximum dose: 400 mg).

Paracetamol will be an oral solution of 30 mg/ml. The doses of paracetamol will be 15 mg/kg (maximum dose: 1g) Ibuprofen will be an oral suspension of 20mg/ml. The doses of ibuprofen 10 mg/kg (maximum dose: 400 mg).

DRUGPlacebo

Placebo will have the closest flavour, smell and aspect to the active substances, respectively paracetamol and ibuprofen. Placebo will be prepared in bottles with a fake label of active substances for a better blinding both for the nurse and the patient. Labels will be hiding by a mask.

Sponsors

URC-CIC Paris Descartes Necker Cochin
CollaboratorOTHER
Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
2 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* children aged 2 through 17 years (17 years included) * suspected fracture of a long bone requiring morphine analgesia (VAS ≥ 60/100 or Evendol ≥ 7/15 at the arrival at emergency department) * within the first 12 hours after the injury * at least one signed parental informed consent * affiliated to health insurance

Exclusion criteria

* analgesic treatment within the 6 hours before inclusion * contraindication to one of the experimental drug: Paracetamol or Ibuprofen * contraindication to Morphine * cognitive impairment * multiple injuries * resuscitation manœuvres * suspected femur fracture * open fracture * pregnant women in the third trimester

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Degree of pain measured by the EVENDOL score30 minutesTo evaluate the degree of pain for children between 2 years and 6 years included : Evendol scale is a validated pain scale for use in the accident and emergency departments on children under 7 years old. Success: children 2-6 years (6 years included) with a pain score Evendol \< 5 without additional analgesic treatment at 30 minutes after drug administration (DA)
Degree of pain measured by the Visual Analog Scale30 minutesTo evaluate the degree of pain for children between 7 years and 17 years included. Patients will be asked to rate their pain severity on a validated 100 mm horizontal or vertical visual analog scale (VAS) marked no pain and most severe pain at the low and high ends respectively. A standardized explanation will be given to participating children. Success: children 7-17 years with pain score assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ≤ 30, without additional analgesic treatment at 30 minutes after drug administration (DA)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Tolerance of ibuprofen15 minutesoccurrence of abdominal pain or diarrhea or nausea or vomiting or digestive bleeding or itching or rash.
Degree of pain measured by the EVENDOL scoreafter immobilisationTo evaluate the degree of pain for children between 2 years and 6 years included : Evendol scale is a validated pain scale for use in the accident and emergency departments on children under 7 years old.
Tolerance of morphine15 minutesheart and respiratory rates,
Tolerance of paracetamol15 minutesOccurrence of rash or hives or itching or swelling
Degree of pain measured by the Visual Analog Scaleafter immobilisationTo evaluate the degree of pain for children between 7 years and 17 years included. Patients will be asked to rate their pain severity on a validated 100 mm horizontal or vertical visual analog scale (VAS) marked no pain and most severe pain at the low and high ends respectively. A standardized explanation will be given to participating children.

Countries

France

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026