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NMDA Receptor Antagonist

Ketamine for Chronic Daily Headache (KetHead Trial)

Phase 3
Recruiting
Led By Yasmine Hoydonckx, MD, MSc, FIPP
Research Sponsored by University Health Network, Toronto
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Be older than 18 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up at 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
Awards & highlights

Summary

This trial is a multicenter, placebo-controlled, parallel group randomized trial with blinding of participants and observers with the goal of comprehensively assessing the effect of high-dose IV ketamine infusion (1 mg.kg-1.h-1 for six hours) on the frequency and intensity of headaches, mood, activity, sleep, quality of life and safety of ketamine for three months after the interventions.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults over 18 with chronic daily headaches, experiencing long-lasting headache episodes frequently each month. Participants must have normal liver and kidney function. It's not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, those with renal or liver issues, certain medication users, people with severe hypertension or heart conditions, glaucoma patients, allergy to ketamine, PTSD sufferers, substance abusers or high-dose opioid users.
What is being tested?
The study tests if a high-dose IV infusion of Ketamine can reduce the frequency and intensity of chronic daily headaches compared to a saline solution placebo. The effects on mood, activity levels, sleep quality and overall life satisfaction will also be evaluated over three months using questionnaires and wearable tech.
What are the potential side effects?
Ketamine may cause side effects such as changes in blood pressure and heart rate; feelings of disorientation; visual disturbances; nausea; mood swings; potential bladder problems when used frequently at lower doses than studied here.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~at 1 month, 2 months and 3 months
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and at 1 month, 2 months and 3 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Difference in headache days between the 2 groups
Secondary study objectives
Impact after ketamine infusion on daily activity
Impact of ketamine infusion on analgesic consumption
Impact of ketamine infusion on patient satisfaction
+11 more

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: Ketamine infusionActive Control1 Intervention
Intravenous Ketamine
Group II: Placebo infusionPlacebo Group1 Intervention

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

University Health Network, TorontoLead Sponsor
1,514 Previous Clinical Trials
500,149 Total Patients Enrolled
The Canadian Pain SocietyOTHER
3 Previous Clinical Trials
305 Total Patients Enrolled
PfizerIndustry Sponsor
4,625 Previous Clinical Trials
14,284,138 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Ketamine (NMDA Receptor Antagonist) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05306899 — Phase 3
Chronic Daily Headache Research Study Groups: Ketamine infusion, Placebo infusion
Chronic Daily Headache Clinical Trial 2023: Ketamine Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05306899 — Phase 3
Ketamine (NMDA Receptor Antagonist) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05306899 — Phase 3
~17 spots leftby Sep 2025