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Not yet recruitingNCT04614610RELIEF-SCCUpdated Aug 29, 2023

Lidocaine Intravenous in the Emergency Department For Sickle Cell Crisis

A Phase 2 interventional study of Lidocaine Iv and Placebo in Sickle Cell Disease, Sickle Cell Crisis and Pain, Acute, sponsored by Community Medical Center, Toms River, NJ. Not yet recruiting at 3 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-08-29.

Sponsored by Community Medical Center, Toms River, NJ · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by Jan 2025, 1 year 10 months ago, but the record still lists the study as not yet recruiting.
Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
100
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Sickle cell crisis continues to be a frequent presentation to emergency departments. Patients presenting will often require immediate treatment for their pain and often times this will include opioids. The opioid epidemic has cost thousands of lives; and continues to be a significant problem posing several challenges when treating patients presenting with sickle cell disease. Primarily, opioids remain the mainstay of treatment for these patients and the push to address the opioid crisis may present challenges for adequate opioid administration in patients suffering from a sickle cell crisis while hospitals find ways to curb the opioid crisis overall. Opioid treatment for patients in acute vaso-occlusive crisis has significantly contributed to quality of life and life expectancy of patients with this diagnosis. Measures should continue to attempt to administer a multi-model approach to sickle cell patients to minimize the morphine milligram equivalents in these patients while also successfully addressing the patient's pain. IV lidocaine is a pain medication that has been evaluated in several painful experiences, such as in renal colic. A few case reports have shown IV lidocaine use in sickle cell can be a potential effective adjunct medication to opioids to treat pain and reduce further opioid requirements. Currently, no prospective controlled trial exists to evaluate the true benefit of IV lidocaine in this population. Our study aims to evaluate IV lidocaine as an adjunct to opioid treatment in the emergency department to determine if improved pain is achieved and if there is a reduction in overall morphine milligram equivalents throughout the emergency department visit.

Read the detailed description

Pain is the most frequent reason for emergency department visits in the United States, especially for those patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Painful vaso-occlusive events frequently require admission to the hospital despite opioid therapy, which is the mainstay of treatment for moderate to severe pain in SCD. Achieving adequate pain control with escalating doses of opioid analgesics may be difficult due to tolerance, physical dependence, and side effects. Common side effects include pruritus, nausea and vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, sedation, and respiratory depression. With the recent focus on the opiate crisis there has been a push towards the use of alternative to opiates (ALTO) for a variety of pain syndromes.

Lidocaine is a class 1b sodium channel blocking agent that is typically used as an anti-arrhythmic and local anesthetic. This medication also has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperalgesic, and gastrointestinal pro-peristaltic properties. Lidocaine may be useful as an adjunct to opioids in response to a painful sickle cell crisis. Intravenous (IV) lidocaine infusion has previously shown benefit in neuropathic pain, renal colic, and peri-operative pain. No prospective studies have evaluated lidocaine for SCD pain thus far.

A previous retrospective study evaluated lidocaine infusion as adjuvant therapy to patients with SCD. Eleven patients were given a total of 15 IV lidocaine trials. Investigators found clinical improvement in pain score from pre-lidocaine challenge to 24 hours post (defined as a >20% reduction in pain scores) in 53.3% (8 of 15) of patients. Of the 8 clinically successful trials, the mean reduction in morphine dose equivalents (MDE) from 24 hours pre to 24 hours post lidocaine was 32.2%. Two patients experienced disorientation and dizziness. The authors concluded that lidocaine was able to provide pain relief and reduce the amount of morphine necessary during SCD vaso-occlusive crisis and that prospective studies are needed to determine its true efficacy, dosing, and tolerability.

A prospective, single-arm, phase II trial evaluated lidocaine 5% patches for neuropathic pain and pain related to vaso-occlusive sickle cell crises in children ages 6 to 21 years old. Patches were applied to the painful area for 12 hours a day. The primary endpoint was the proportion of inpatients with significant pain relief defined as a decrease of at least 2 points on the visual analog pain scale (VAS, from 0-10) measured at 12 hours after patch placement over two consecutive days. The use of additional treatments such as antiepileptics and opioids were allowed and their usage was documented. The primary outcome of VAS improvement of >2 over 2 consecutive days was observed in 48.6% of evaluated patients (19/39). Transdermal lidocaine was tolerated well with only 3 minor adverse events reported (two localized skin reactions and one generalized skin eruption) and no serious adverse events.

The theoretical benefits along with the two previously discussed studies provide evidence to further investigate the use of lidocaine in SCD pain. Studies are needed to know whether lidocaine may be able to benefit alleviate pain quicker and minimize need for opiates similarly to its use in renal colic. This prospective trial aims to evaluate whether lidocaine can decrease the opiate needs during a SCD crisis while providing adequate pain relief and tolerability.

02

Conditions studied

  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • Sickle Cell Crisis
  • Pain, Acute

Keywords

  • lidocaine
  • ALTO
  • sickle cell pain
03

In context

Anemia, Sickle Cell

1,134 studies on the registry are indexed under Anemia, Sickle Cell; 238 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 100 is above the median of 40 across 769 interventional studies indexed under Anemia, Sickle Cell.

Browse Anemia, Sickle Cell studies →

Lead sponsor

Community Medical Center, Toms River, NJ is the lead sponsor of 7 studies on the registry; 2 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients > 18 years old with sickle cell disease experiencing persistent severe (7-10/10) pain despite receiving at least one dose of intravenous opiate analgesic.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients \< 18 years old and pregnant
  • Patients presenting with or suspected to have acute chest syndrome
  • Allergy or intolerance to lidocaine products or morphine/hydromorphone
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Triple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator)
Enrollment
100 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Lidocaine

    Lidocaine 1.5mg/kg (Max: 200mg) in dextrose 5% 100mL over 10 minutes along with either morphine 0.1-0.15mg/kg IV OR hydromorphone 0.01-0.02mg/kg IV.

    Drug: Lidocaine Iv

  • Placebo comparator
    Placebo

    Dextrose 5% 100mL (placebo) over 10 minutes along with either morphine 0.1-0.15mg/kg IV OR hydromorphone 0.01-0.02mg/kg IV.

    Drug: Placebo

Interventions

  • Lidocaine 1.5mg/kg (Max dose: 200mg) in Dextrose 5% 100mL over 10 minutes

  • DrugPlacebo

    Dextrose 5% 100mL over 10 minutes

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in pain at 30 minutes

    Change of visual analog pain scale (VAS, 0-10) at 30 minutes post-infusion of lidocaine or placebo.

    Time frame: from pre-lidocaine infusion to 30 minutes post-infusion

Secondary outcomes

  1. Total opiate dosage received

    Total morphine mg equivalents (MME) of opiate received normalized to patient's bodyweight during their ED stay.

    Time frame: from presentation to the Emergency department (ED) until patient disposition (up to 12 hours)

  2. % Patients requiring additional opiate administration

    Percentage of patients requiring an additional opiate after the lidocaine vs. placebo.

    Time frame: from presentation to the Emergency department (ED) until patient disposition (up to 12 hours)

  3. Time to next opiate administered

    Time (minutes) until next opiate is administered after lidocaine vs. placebo.

    Time frame: from administration of lidocaine infusion until patient disposition (up to 12 hours) or next opiate administered

  4. Total MME post-lidocaine up to 12 hours

    Total MME needed after lidocaine vs placebo up to 12 hours

    Time frame: 12 hours post-lidocaine or placebo infusion.

  5. Percentage of patients discharged from ED

    Percentage of patients discharged from the ED.

    Time frame: from presentation to the Emergency department (ED) until patient disposition (up to 12 hours)

  6. Percentage of patients receiving a >20% reduction in pain scale

    Percentage of patients receiving a \>20% reduction in pain scale based on the VAS (0-10).

    Time frame: from presentation to the Emergency department (ED) until patient disposition (up to 12 hours)

  7. Change in visual analog pain scale (VAS, 0-10 with 10 being the most pain) at 60 and 90 minutes

    Change in VAS at 60 and 90 minutes post-infusion.

    Time frame: 60 and 90 minutes

  8. Number of adverse effects of treatment

    Reported adverse effects during study treatment period

    Time frame: from presentation to the Emergency department (ED) until patient disposition (up to 12 hours)

07

Study locations

3 sites
08

References and documents

Publications

  • E Silva LOJ, Scherber K, Cabrera D, Motov S, Erwin PJ, West CP, Murad MH, Bellolio MF. Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Lidocaine for Pain Management in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review. Ann Emerg Med. 2018 Aug;72(2):135-144.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2017.12.014. Epub 2018 Feb 1. PubMed 29395284 ↗
  • Lanzkron S, Carroll CP, Haywood C Jr. The burden of emergency department use for sickle-cell disease: an analysis of the national emergency department sample database. Am J Hematol. 2010 Oct;85(10):797-9. doi: 10.1002/ajh.21807. PubMed 20730795 ↗
  • Payne J, Aban I, Hilliard LM, Madison J, Bemrich-Stolz C, Howard TH, Brandow A, Waite E, Lebensburger JD. Impact of early analgesia on hospitalization outcomes for sickle cell pain crisis. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2018 Dec;65(12):e27420. doi: 10.1002/pbc.27420. Epub 2018 Aug 27. PubMed 30151977 ↗
  • Lexicomp Online, Lexi-Drugs Online, Hudson, Ohio: Lexi-Comp, Inc.; December 15, 2017.
  • Eipe N, Gupta S, Penning J. Intravenous Lidocaine for Acute Pain: an Evidence-based Clinical Update. BJA Education,16(9):292-298(2016). Doi: 10.1093/bjaed/mkw008
  • Carroll CP, Lanzkron S, Haywood C Jr, Kiley K, Pejsa M, Moscou-Jackson G, Haythornthwaite JA, Campbell CM. Chronic Opioid Therapy and Central Sensitization in Sickle Cell Disease. Am J Prev Med. 2016 Jul;51(1 Suppl 1):S69-77. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.02.012. PubMed 27320469 ↗
  • Nguyen NL, Kome AM, Lowe DK, Coyne P, Hawks KG. Intravenous Lidocaine as an Adjuvant for Pain Associated with Sickle Cell Disease. J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2015;29(4):359-64. doi: 10.3109/15360288.2015.1082009. PubMed 26654408 ↗
  • Rousseau V, Morelle M, Arriuberge C, Darnis S, Chabaud S, Launay V, Thouvenin S, Roumenoff-Turcant F, Metzger S, Tourniaire B, Marec-Berard P. Efficacy and Tolerance of Lidocaine 5% Patches in Neuropathic Pain and Pain Related to Vaso-occlusive Sickle Cell Crises in Children: A Prospective Multicenter Clinical Study. Pain Pract. 2018 Jul;18(6):788-797. doi: 10.1111/papr.12674. Epub 2018 Feb 28. PubMed 29266772 ↗
  • Soleimanpour H, Hassanzadeh K, Vaezi H, Golzari SE, Esfanjani RM, Soleimanpour M. Effectiveness of intravenous lidocaine versus intravenous morphine for patients with renal colic in the emergency department. BMC Urol. 2012 May 4;12:13. doi: 10.1186/1471-2490-12-13. PubMed 22559856 ↗
  • Firouzian A, Alipour A, Rashidian Dezfouli H, Zamani Kiasari A, Gholipour Baradari A, Emami Zeydi A, Amini Ahidashti H, Montazami M, Hosseininejad SM, Yazdani Kochuei F. Does lidocaine as an adjuvant to morphine improve pain relief in patients presenting to the ED with acute renal colic? A double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Am J Emerg Med. 2016 Mar;34(3):443-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2015.11.062. Epub 2015 Dec 1. PubMed 26704774 ↗
  • Bijur PE, Latimer CT, Gallagher EJ. Validation of a verbally administered numerical rating scale of acute pain for use in the emergency department. Acad Emerg Med. 2003 Apr;10(4):390-2. doi: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2003.tb01355.x. PubMed 12670856 ↗
  • Holdgate A, Asha S, Craig J, Thompson J. Comparison of a verbal numeric rating scale with the visual analogue scale for the measurement of acute pain. Emerg Med (Fremantle). 2003 Oct-Dec;15(5-6):441-6. doi: 10.1046/j.1442-2026.2003.00499.x. PubMed 14992058 ↗
  • Motov S, Fassassi C, Drapkin J, Butt M, Hossain R, Likourezos A, Monfort R, Brady J, Rothberger N, Mann SS, Flom P, Gulati V, Marshall J. Comparison of intravenous lidocaine/ketorolac combination to either analgesic alone for suspected renal colic pain in the ED. Am J Emerg Med. 2020 Feb;38(2):165-172. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2019.01.048. Epub 2019 Jan 30. PubMed 30770244 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Start is estimated for Jan 2024; primary completion for Jan 2025, 12 months later.

Of 58 non-industry phase 2 interventional studies under Anemia, Sickle Cell, half reached primary completion within 54 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 42 and three quarters within 117. This study's planned 12 months is below that.

Counting every sponsor, half of 92 studies reached it within 46 months; a quarter within 24 and three quarters within 73.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Oct 22, 2020
First posted
Nov 4, 2020
StartEst.
Jan 1, 2024
Primary completionEst.
Jan 2, 2025
CompletionEst.
Jun 1, 2025
Last update
Aug 29, 2023
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 29, 2023, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04614610
Lead sponsor
Community Medical Center, Toms River, NJ
Collaborators
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Responsible party
Andrew Vassallo (Primary Research Coordinator, Community Medical Center, Toms River, NJ) — Principal investigator
First posted
Nov 4, 2020
Start date
Jan 1, 2024 (estimated)
Primary completion
Jan 2, 2025 (estimated)
Completion
Jun 1, 2025 (estimated)
Last update
Aug 29, 2023

Study contacts

Andrew V Vassallo, PharmD
Contact
Andrew.Vassallo@rwjbh.org
732-557-8070
Shreni Zinzuwadia, MD
Contact
zinzuwsh@gmail.com
Shreni Zinzuwadia, MD
principal investigator · Newark Beth Israel

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Aug 2023. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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Studies of the drug tested here: Lidocaine

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