The aim of this study is to determinate the equipotent doses of inhaled metoxyflurane vs. intravenous fentanyl.
Traumatized patients frequently experience pain prehospital due to the fear of adverse cardiovascular effects (e.g. hypotension) and respiration depression of opioid treatment, leading to insufficient analgesia. Therefore, there is of interest to investigate other analgesics that do not have these adverse effects. In Norway, methoxyflurane has been approved for the emergency relief of moderate to severe trauma pain in conscious adult patients. Metoxyflurane (Penthrox®) do not have these adverse effects (hypotension and respiration depression). It is easy to administrate via an inhalator, and is therefore suitable for use prehospital. This would possible help to treat pain better prehospital. There exists no data of how effective metoxyflurane is as an analgesic compared to an opioid. The aim of this study is to determinate the equipotent doses of inhaled metoxyflurane vs. intravenous fentanyl. Ten healthy volunteers (18 - 64 years) will be enrolled in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study using a standard experimental pain model: CPT- Cold pressor test (ice water). Our group has used this experimental pain model in earlier studies and a crossover study is suitable to compare different drugs. Possible side effects will be recorded for both metoxyflurane and fentanyl: sedation, dizziness, itching, nausea and vomiting. Respiration frequency and non-invasive blood pressure will be recorded every as possible low blood pressure or respiration depression can occur. The aim of this study is to determinate equipotent doses of inhaled metoxyflurane vs. intravenous fentanyl. We have chosen to compare with fentanyl (the comparator) because it is a well-known drug in clinical practice for acute pain treatment. In addition, both drugs have a fast onset (minutes) and the analgesic effect last for approximately the same time interval (20-30 min). Therefore, they are comparable in a clinical setting. There exists no exact data of equipotent doses between metoxyflurane and fentanyl, only retrospective clinical data. One retrospective study compared intranasal fentanyl with inhaled metoxyflurane for visceral pain prehospital in 1024 patients. The initial dose of fentanyl was 0.018 mg and the total mean dose at hospital arrival was 0.036 mg. In the metoxyflurane group 51.9% received 3 ml, a second dose was used in 41.9% and 6.2% received a third dose. Metoxyflurane produced the greatest initial pain scores reduction, and intranasal fentanyl provided greater pain reduction by hospital arrival. From these data we have chosen two doses of fentanyl to be compared with 3 ml Penthrox: 0.025 mg and 0.05 mg intravenous. Both drugs will also be compared to placebo (NaCl 9 mg/ml).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
12
The subjects will undergo CPT (cold pressor test) to determine the analgesic effect of the drugs, in this intervention inhalation of metoxyflurane 3 ml and NaCl i.v. will be administered.(13,14) The CPT will be conducted using a temperature-controlled bath with circulating 3°C water (FP 45-HE Refrigerated/Heating Circulator, Julabo Labortechnic, 77960 Seelback, Germany). The subjects submerge their right hand to the wrist with fingers abducted for up to 90 s. The endpoints are NRS scores every 10 s.This test will be performed 3 times for each session.
The subjects will undergo CPT (cold pressor test) to determine the analgesic effect of the drugs, in this intervention fentanyl 0.025 mg i.v. and NaCl for inhalation will be administered(13,14) The CPT will be conducted using a temperature-controlled bath with circulating 3°C water (FP 45-HE Refrigerated/Heating Circulator, Julabo Labortechnic, 77960 Seelback, Germany). The subjects submerge their right hand to the wrist with fingers abducted for up to 90 s. The endpoints are NRS scores every 10 s.This test will be performed 3 times for each session.
Harald Lenz
Oslo, Norway
NRS (numeric rating scale) scores during the second CPT, which starts 5 minutes after drug administration and lasts for 90 seconds. NRS is a scale from 0 to 10 (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10). 0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain imaginable.
NRS (numeric rating scale) scores during CPT (Cold pressor test) 5 minutes after drug administration. The CPT lasts for 90 seconds. The endpoints are NRS scores every 10. second during the CPT.
Time frame: 90 seconds
NRS (numeric rating scale) scores during the second CPT, which starts 20 minutes after drug administration and lasts for 90 seconds. This is a scale from 0 to 10 (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10). 0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain imaginable.
NRS scores during CPT (Cold pressor test) 20 minutes after drug administration (15 minutes after last CPT).The CPT lasts for 90 seconds. The endpoints are NRS scores every 10. second during the CPT.
Time frame: 90 seconds
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The subjects will undergo CPT (cold pressor test) to determine the analgesic effect of the drugs, in this intervention fentanyl 0.05 mg i.v. and NaCl for inhalation will be administered.(13,14) The CPT will be conducted using a temperature-controlled bath with circulating 3°C water (FP 45-HE Refrigerated/Heating Circulator, Julabo Labortechnic, 77960 Seelback, Germany). The subjects submerge their right hand to the wrist with fingers abducted for up to 90 s. The endpoints are NRS scores every 10 s.This test will be performed 3 times for each session.
The subjects will undergo CPT (cold pressor test) to determine the analgesic effect of the drugs, in this intervention NaCl i.v. and NaCl inhal will be used - placebo(13,14) The CPT will be conducted using a temperature-controlled bath with circulating 3°C water (FP 45-HE Refrigerated/Heating Circulator, Julabo Labortechnic, 77960 Seelback, Germany). The subjects submerge their right hand to the wrist with fingers abducted for up to 90 s. The endpoints are NRS scores every 10 s.This test will be performed 3 times for each session.