Paramedic analgesia comparing ketamine and morphine in trauma (PACKMaN): a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial
Smyth, Michael A Noordali, Hannah Starr, Kath Yeung, Joyce Lall, Ranjit Michelet, Felix Fuller, Gordon Petrou, Stavros Walker, Alison Green, Zoe
Smyth, Michael A
Noordali, Hannah
Starr, Kath
Yeung, Joyce
Lall, Ranjit
Michelet, Felix
Fuller, Gordon
Petrou, Stavros
Walker, Alison
Green, Zoe
Affiliation
University of Warwick; University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust; University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; University of Sheffield; University of Oxford; West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust; Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; NIHR Academy
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Publication date
2025-04-05
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Abstract
Background: Paramedics frequently administer analgesic medications for pain following trauma. Morphine is the most commonly administered strong analgesic. However, it may not be the best option as it may lower blood pressure, depress respiration and there is a risk of dependency. Ketamine might be a better option due to speed of onset and favourable side-effect profile. We sought to compare clinical effectiveness of paramedic administered ketamine and morphine in patients with severe pain following trauma.
Methods: PACKMaN was a double-blinded, randomised controlled, superiority trial, conducted in two regional ambulance services in the UK. Eligible patients were 16 years of age or over, had an acute injury, and articulated a pain score of 7 or greater on a 0-10 numeric rating score (NRS). We excluded pregnant patients, prisoners, those unable to articulate a pain score and anyone lacking capacity. The randomisation list prepared by the study programmer, utilised a permuted, unstratified, block randomisation system (variable size blocks) to achieve an overall ratio of 1:1 control (morphine): intervention (ketamine). Treatment packs were identical in appearance, apart from their unique sequential number. Individual participant randomisation occurred when the attending paramedic opened the treatment pack. The maximum available dose of morphine was 20 mg while the maximum available dose of ketamine was 30 mg. The treating paramedic administered the trial drug slowly, in regular small aliquots, via the intravenous (or intraosseous) route, titrating treatment until the patient reported adequate analgesia or requested that treatment stop due to undesired side effects. Timing of drug administration was not prespecified. The primary outcome was the Sum of Pain Intensity Difference (SPID) score on arrival to the hospital, calculated using patient reported NRS scores. Analysis was performed on an intention to treat basis. PACKMaN is registered with the International Clinical Trials Registry (ISRCTN14124474).
Findings: PACKMaN recruited its first patient on 10/11/2021 and achieved its recruitment target on 16/05/2023. We randomised 449 participants: 219 (49%) received ketamine and 230 (51%) received morphine. The SPID score was 3.5 (SD 2.8) for ketamine and 3.4 (SD 3.0) for morphine. We found no significant difference in efficacy between drugs (adjusted mean difference 0.1, 95%CI -0.4 to 0.6, p = 0.74). There was no significant difference in the incidence of serious adverse events [4 (2%) ketamine; 8 (3%) morphine]. There were no treatment related deaths.
Interpretation: Ketamine did not provide superior analgesia than morphine when used by paramedics to treat acute severe trauma pain. Unexpected adverse events occurred infrequently. Despite analgesia, many patients still experienced pain on arrival at hospital, highlighting the need for further research.
Citation
Smyth MA, Noordali H, Starr K, Yeung J, Lall R, Michelet F, Fuller G, Petrou S, Walker A, Green Z, McLaren R, Miller E, Buckley D, Perkins GD. Paramedic analgesia comparing ketamine and morphine in trauma (PACKMaN): a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial. Lancet Reg Health Eur. 2025 Apr 5;53:101265. doi: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101265.
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Article