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Aprepitant to Mitigate Opioids' Cognitive Side Effects

Not Applicable
Conditions
Cognitive Dysfunction
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT02226601
Lead Sponsor
University of Arizona
Brief Summary

Morphine and similar substances (called opioids) are often prescribed for moderate to severe pain, such as after a surgery, thus allowing for minimal pain and a better recovery. Unfortunately various, non-dangerous side effects from opioids occur often that limit the way patients feel and can take of themselves, despite otherwise good pain control and minimal limitations from the surgery itself.

Detailed Description

In this proposed study the investigators want to examine if the drug aprepitant can decrease the so called "cognitive impairments" opioids may cause, such as drowsiness, loopiness and feeling "high".

This would allow for a better recovery period, in which patients can be more "themselves", participate in activities around them and move forward.

Subjects scheduled for elective surgeries with expected opioid medication for moderate to severe pain and good functional status shortly after surgery will be randomized to receive either aprepitant or placebo shortly before their surgery and for two more days thereafter.

A telephone interview for cognitive status and several specific questions will be used to assess the effect of aprepitant on the subjects' cognitive and functional status.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  • healthy English speaking, opioid-naive consenting adults
Exclusion Criteria
  • current or very recent (< 3 months) opioid therapy
  • morbid obesity
  • liver disease
  • therapy with pimozide, terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, vitamin K antagonists (warfarin), hormonal contraceptives
  • acute or chronic infections
  • immunocompromised status
  • hemodynamically unstable, hemorrhage (bleeding)
  • recent surgery
  • pregnancy, nursing
  • younger than 18 years old
  • not proficient of the English language

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlacebo* electrolyte (0.9% NaCl) infusion) pre-operatively * capsule without medication on post-op day #1 * capsule without medication on post-op day #2
AprepitantAprepitantAprepitant * 40 mg IV pre-operatively * 40 mg PO post-op day #1 * 40 mg PO post-op day #2
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
cognitive function3 days post-operatively

questionnaires

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Arizona Medical Center

🇺🇸

Tucson, Arizona, United States

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