Lidocaine, Paracetamol, and Dexmedetomidine for Rocuronium Injection Pain

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Propofol Injection Pain; Rocuronium Injection Pain
• Interventions: Drug: Lidocaine %2 ampoule; Drug: paracetamol; Drug: Dexmedetomidine

• Registration Number: NCT07169227
• Lead Sponsor: Baskent University

Brief Summary

Propofol and rocuronium may cause pain during intravenous injection. Various pharmacological agents are used to reduce the incidence and severity of injection pain. Among the most commonly used agents for this purpose are lidocaine, various opioids, ketamine, paracetamol, and dexmedetomidine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative effect of intravenous dexmedetomidine and paracetamol versus lidocaine in preventing propofol- and rocuronium-induced pain during anesthesia induction.

Detailed Description

General anesthesia induction is initiated with propofol, and after loss of consciousness is achieved, rocuronium is administered to provide muscle relaxation. Propofol and rocuronium may cause pain during intravenous injection, with an incidence ranging from 20% to 100% for propofol and from 22% to 84% for rocuronium. The current hypothesis regarding the mechanism of pain associated with intravenous drug injection is that stimulation of polymodal nociceptors triggers the release of endogenous pain mediators such as prostaglandins. This stimulation is thought to be related to the non-physiological osmolarity or pH of the drug solution.

The pain that occurs during anesthesia induction may lead to undesirable reflex movements, which can result in accidental dislodgement of the intravenous catheter. In addition, in response to strong nociceptive stimulation, it may also contribute to the development of increased arterial blood pressure and tachycardia. Various pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies have been investigated to reduce the incidence and severity of injection pain. Among the most commonly used agents for this purpose are lidocaine, various opioids, magnesium, sodium bicarbonate, ketamine, paracetamol, and dexmedetomidine.

Although lidocaine is frequently used to prevent propofol/rocuronium injection pain during anesthesia, propofol or rocuronium pain can still occur in up to 30% of cases, even with lidocaine administration. Therefore, there is currently no pharmacological agent in the literature that has been definitively confirmed to reduce propofol/rocuronium pain.

Paracetamol is a widely used agent for pain management and as an antipyretic, although its precise molecular mechanism of action is not fully understood. However, the antinociceptive effects of paracetamol are thought to occur through both peripheral and central mechanisms via inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). With its peripheral effects, paracetamol is thought to reduce propofol- and rocuronium-induced injection pain and the associated involuntary withdrawal movements . In addition, paracetamol has been shown to selectively suppress peripheral PGE₂ release and to increase COX-2 gene expression in an acute inflammation model. Another study reported that paracetamol exhibits selectivity in inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins and related factors. Furthermore, although paracetamol does not inhibit COX enzymes at therapeutic concentrations in vitro, it has been reported to inhibit a variant of COX enzymes in vivo.

Dexmedetomidine is an α₂-adrenergic receptor agonist with supraspinal, spinal, and peripheral effects, possessing strong sedative, analgesic, and sympatholytic properties. Alpha-2 receptors are found in blood vessels and inhibit the release of norepinephrine. Although some studies in the literature have reported that dexmedetomidine reduces propofol- and rocuronium-induced pain, there are also studies that do not support this finding. Moreover, the effective optimal dose of this agent has not yet been clearly established.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative effect of intravenous dexmedetomidine and paracetamol versus lidocaine in preventing propofol- and rocuronium-induced pain during anesthesia induction.

The goal of this study is to identify an effective pharmacological agent to reduce propofol and rocuronium injection pain. This study is a prospective, randomised study involving 170 subjects and they will assessed on the incidence and severity of rocuronium and propofol pain during anesthesia induction. Outcomes from this study can be extended to patients who will be receiving general anaesthesia tube to reduce the incidence and severity of propofol and rocuronium injection pain.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-09
• Study Start: 2025-09-01
• Study First Submitted: 2025-09-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-09-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-09-05
• Study First Posted: 2025-09-11
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-11
• Primary Completion: 2025-10
• Study Completion: 2025-10-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 170

Inclusion Criteria

Patients who will receive propofol and rocuronium 18 - 65 years No psychiatric disorders Elective surgery Those who accept the research No history of allergy to any of the drugs used in the study Patients in American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and II class

Exclusion Criteria

Patients with chronic pain syndromes Patients with difficult intravenous access Patients with advanced heart block or heart failure Patients with uncontrolled hypertension (Systolic blood pressure >160 mmHg)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Lidocaine	Lidocaine %2 ampoule	Patients who were administered lidocaine before anesthesia induction.
Paracetamol	paracetamol	Patients who were administered paracetamol before anesthesia induction.
Dexmedetomidine	Dexmedetomidine	Patients who were administered dexmedetomidine before anesthesia induction.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Rocuronium Withdrawal Movement Score	Immediately after rocuronium injection	Score evaluating involuntary withdrawal movements in response to rocuronium injection (0 = No movement, 1 = Movement only at the wrist, 2 = Movement involving the upper arm and shoulder of the injected arm, 3 = Widespread movement in multiple extremities or full-body withdrawal)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Propofol Pain Score	Immediately after propofol injection	Score assessing the intensity of pain during propofol injection. ıt will be assessed with 11-point Visual Analog Scale (0: No pain at all, 10: Worst pain imaginable in my life).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Baskent University; Adana, Adana, Turkey (Türkiye)