Conditions: Sickle Cell Anemia Crisis
Keywords: sickle cell acetaminophen in pain crises opioid-sparing
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 71
Healthy volunteers: yes

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to determine whether IV acetaminophen can decrease the need for subsequent opioid administration in the acute management of sickle cell crisis pain in the pediatric emergency room.

Detailed description:
This is a single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled study in an academic urban pediatric emergency department of children with sickle cell disease presenting with acute sickle cell crisis pain between ages of 4 to 16 years, with a pain score of 6/10 or higher on the Wong-Baker modified FACES pain scale. In order to detect a difference of 0.2 mg/kg in cumulative dosage of morphine (at our institution, 0.3 mg/kg morphine deems an inpatient admission for parenteral pain management) with 80% power and alpha of 0.05, we calculated a sample size of 33 patients in each group. All patients will receive IV ketorolac and IV morphine. Patients will be randomized to receive IV acetaminophen or IV saline (volume-equivalent). Pain scores will be obtained at baseline, and again at 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes after medication administration. Cumulative morphine dosing, rates of admission, and rates of adverse effects of morphine will also be analyzed. Our primary objective is to decrease the need for subsequent opioid administration. Our secondary objectives are to determine if IV Acetaminophen decreases pain score at 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes, decreases the rate of admissions, and decreases the rate of adverse effects from opioids.

Arms:
arm 1: Patients allocated to receive IV acetaminophen arm 2: Patients allocated to receive IV normal saline placebo

Interventions: intervention 1: Acetaminophen intervention 2: Normal saline
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Administration of 15 mg/kg (1000 mg max dose) of IV acetaminophen intervention 2: Normal saline volume equivalent

Protocol document:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: 
 
 
IV Acetaminophen in Sickle Cell Crisis  
January 2018 
 
 
Institutional Review Board	
1
 
Title: Does IV Acetaminophen Reduce Opioid Requirement in Pediatric Emergency Department 
Patients with Acute Sickle Cell Crises?  
 
Location: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center 
 
 
Principal Investigator: Cena Tejani, M.D.  
 
Co-Investigator: Tina Dhebaria, D.O.  
 
Division: Pediatric Emergency Department  
 
Sponsors: None  
  
Abstract:  
Background: Intravenous (IV) acetaminophen has been available and widely used in European 
countries for the management of pain. In 2010, IV acetaminophen was FDA-approved for the 
management of pain in the United States. Manufacturer labeling for IV acetaminophen states that it 
can be used for "moderate to severe pain with adjunctive opioid analgesics in adults and children 2 
years and older." There are very few studies assessing the use of IV acetaminophen in the 
management of pain in pediatrics. Several studies have implemented IV acetaminophen for post-
operative pain and low back pain and demonstrated an opioid-sparing effect. To date, there are no 
published studies assessing the use of IV acetaminophen in sickle cell crisis pain. Standard treatment 
currently involves oral analgesics including acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 
(NSAIDs), and narcotics.  Management in the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) involves either 
intranasal opioids or parenteral (IV) ketorolac and opioids. Although pain control is extremely 
important for these patients, the misuse and addiction caused by prescription and IV opioid 
medications has become a public health issue.   
 
Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled study in an 
academic urban pediatric emergency department of children with sickle cell disease presenting with 
acute sickle cell crisis pain between ages of 4 to 16 years, with a pain score of 6/10 or higher on the 
Wong-Baker modified FACES pain scale. In order to detect a difference of 0.2 mg/kg in cumulative 
dosage of morphine (at our institution, 0.3 mg/kg morphine deems an inpatient admission for 
parenteral pain management) with 80% power and alpha of 0.05, we calculated a sample size of 33 
patients in each group. All patients will receive IV ketorolac and IV morphine. Patients will be 
randomized to receive IV acetaminophen or IV saline (volume-equivalent). Pain scores will be 
obtained at baseline, and again at 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes after 
medication administration. Cumulative morphine dosing, rates of admission, and rates of adverse 
effects of morphine will also be analyzed.  Our primary objective is to decrease the need for 
subsequent opioid administration. Our secondary objectives are to determine if IV Acetaminophen 
decreases pain score at 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes, decreases the rate of 
admissions, and decreases the rate of adverse effects from opioids.  
 


 
 
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Participant Selection: Patients with sickle cell disease (sickle cell SS, sickle cell SC, and sickle cell 
beta-o-thalassemia) ages 4-16 years will be recruited from Newark Beth Israel Pediatric Emergency 
room that meet eligibility criteria, including a pain score of 6/10 or higher on the Wong-Baker modified 
FACES pain scale. Through randomization, all eligible patients will be assigned a study participant 
number.  
 
Sample size:  In order to detect a difference of 0.2 mg/kg in cumulative dosage of morphine (at our 
institution, 0.3 mg/kg morphine deems an inpatient admission for parenteral pain management) with 
80% power and alpha of 0.05, we calculated a sample size of 33 patients in each group. 
 
A. Purpose of Study:  
The purpose of our study is to determine whether IV acetaminophen can decrease the need for 
subsequent opioid administration in the acute management of sickle cell crisis pain in the pediatric 
emergency room.  
 
B. Background: 
 
According to the Expert Panel guidelines on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), more than 2 million 
Americans are either homozygous or heterozygotes for the sickle cell mutation. Of those 2 million, it 
is estimated that approximately 75,000 to 100,000 have homozygous sickle cell disease (HbSS)[1]. 
Every year, newborn screening identifies about 2,000 newborns with SCD making sickle cell disease 
one of the most prevalent genetic disorders in the United States [2]. Sickle cell disease continues to 
remain an economic burden in the United States. In a period of four years, approximately 75,000 
hospitalizations occurred to due to SCD, costing approximately $475 million [3]. In 2004 alone, there 
were 113,000 hospitalizations related to SCD, costing about $488 million [4]. In 2005, cost of medical 
care provided to children with SCD covered by Medicaid averaged to $11,702 and $14,772 for those 
with employer-sponsored insurance [5]. Average lifetime cost of SCD is approximately $460,000 [6]. 
 
Vaso-occlusive crisis pain (VOC) is the most common complication and the most common 
cause of morbidity and indication for hospital admission in this population [1,7].  It accounts for up to 
90% of emergency room visits [8,9]. There is no definitive standard therapy for treatment of acute 
VOC, however many approaches have been identified [10]. Treatment currently involves rest, 
rehydration, oral and IV analgesics including acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 
(NSAIDs), and narcotics [11]. Although pain control is extremely important for these patients, the 
misuse and addiction caused by prescription and IV opioid medications has become a public health 
issue. Approximately 53% of emergency room physicians and 23% of hematologists feel that more 
than 20% of patients with sickle cell disease are addicted to opioids [12]. More research is needed to 
allow optimal pain relief in children with painful crises, while decreasing the addiction potential to 
opioid medications.  
 
Intravenous acetaminophen has been available for over 20 years, and is widely used, in 
European countries for the management of pain. It has been described to provide fast and significant 
pain relief, while demonstrating an opioid-sparing effect [13]. In 2010, IV acetaminophen was FDA-
approved for the management of pain in the United States [14].  Manufacturer labeling for IV 
acetaminophen states that it can be used for "moderate to severe pain with adjunctive opioid 


 
 
IV Acetaminophen in Sickle Cell Crisis  
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Institutional Review Board	
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analgesics in adults and children 2 years and older. “ [15] There are, however, few studies assessing 
the use of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen in the acute management of pain, in both adult and 
pediatrics. Several studies implementing IV acetaminophen for post-operative pain management and 
low back pain have demonstrated an opioid-sparing effect [13, 16]. Hong et al demonstrated reduced 
fentanyl consumption in pediatric patients after inguinal hernia repair after being administered 
combined IV ketorolac and acetaminophen [17].  
 
To date, there are no published studies assessing the use of IV acetaminophen in sickle cell 
crisis pain. Our study looks to determine if the use of IV acetaminophen can provide adequate pain 
control and ultimately demonstrate an opioid-sparing effect in patients treated for sickle cell pain crisis 
in the Pediatric Emergency Department. We also aim to determine if there is a subsequent decrease 
in the rate of admissions, overall decrease in pain scores, and decrease in dose-related adverse 
effects from opioids.  
 
C. Description of Methodology: 
Prospective randomized, double-blinded, controlled study in an academic urban pediatric emergency 
department of children with sickle cell disease presenting with acute sickle cell crisis pain between 
ages of 4 to 16 years, with a pain score of 6/10 or higher on the Wong-Baker modified FACES pain 
scale.  
 
Sample size:  In order to detect a clinical difference of 0.2 mg/kg in cumulative dosage of morphine 
(at our institution, 0.3 mg/kg morphine deems an inpatient admission for parenteral pain 
management) with 80% power and alpha of 0.05, we calculated a sample size of 33 patients in each 
group. 
 
Data will be collected from the electronic health record (EHR) and transcribed into a password-
protected de-identified database to which only the PI and Co-Investigators will have access.  
 
Duration of the study is expected to be 2 years.  
 
D. Participant Selection: Patients with sickle cell disease (sickle cell SS, sickle cell SC, and sickle 
cell beta-o-thalassemia) ages 4-16 years will be recruited from Newark Beth Israel Pediatric 
Emergency room that meet eligibility criteria, including a pain score of 6/10 or higher on the Wong-
Baker modified FACES pain scale. Through randomization, all eligible patients will be assigned a 
study participant number.  
 
Eligibility:  
Any patient ages 4-16 years with sickle cell disease, whose symptoms are consistent with sickle cell 
crisis pain, with a pain score of 6/10 or higher on the Wong-Baker modified FACES pain scale.  
 
Exclusion criteria: 
 Patient with fever (38C or 100.4F) 
 Patient less than age 4 years 
 Patient greater than 16 years  
 Patient with hypersensitivity/allergy to either morphine, NSAIDs, or acetaminophen  


 
 
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 Patient received acetaminophen within the past 4 hours  
 Patient received an NSAID within the past 6 hours  
 Patient with known liver disease or renal disease  
 Patient receiving intranasal opioid therapy  
 Patient not requiring IV morphine  
 Patient enrolled in the study within the past 30 days  
 
E. Description of Agents Involved: 
The investigational agent that will be used in this study is intravenous acetaminophen, which is an 
anti-pyretic and analgesic medication. It is currently FDA-approved for use in “management of mild to 
moderate pain in adult and pediatric patients 2 years and older, the management of moderate to 
severe pain with adjunctive opioid analgesics in adult and pediatric patients 2 years and older, and 
the reduction of fever in adult and pediatric patients [15].” 
 
It will be given as a one-time dose of 15 mg/kg with max dose of 1,000 mg in the initial management 
of sickle cell crisis pain.  
 
F. Description of Procedures involved:  
The total number of required patients will be 33 per arm (66 patients total). The targeted study 
population is patients with sickle cell disease who are between the ages of 4-16 years presenting with 
acute sickle cell crisis pain. The expected duration of the study is 2 years.  
Prior to initiation of study, the researchers will be responsible for the randomization process. The goal 
of this study is to enroll 66 patients total (33 per arm). Patients will be randomly assigned to a study 
arm via an online randomization process. A primary master list will be provided to the pharmacy to 
maintain blinding of the recruiting and treating physicians as well as the nurses administering the 
medications. Only the pharmacy staff will have knowledge of which medication the patient will be 
receiving. A secondary list will be kept in a locked and secured cabinet in the Pediatric Emergency 
room, to which only the primary and secondary investigator will have access in emergency 
circumstances. 
 
Detailed study procedures: 
Study investigators/ED physicians will identify potential candidates via chief complaints or visit 
reasons of sickle cell via the Emergency Department’s tracking board. 
 
Potentially eligible patients are screened with inclusion/exclusion criteria. 
 
If patients are eligible, study investigators and/or attending physicians or fellows will obtain informed 
consent and explain potential risks and benefits with receiving study interventions. 
 
Patients will receive standard therapy plus either intervention medication or placebo (normal saline). 
All patients and their family members will be blinded to whether the patient is receiving 
acetaminophen or saline. All patients will receive conventional standard therapy (ketorolac and 
morphine), which will be ordered by the emergency department resident, fellow, or attending. Arm A 
will receive 15 mg/kg IVP bolus of acetaminophen in addition to ketorolac and morphine. Arm B will 


 
 
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receive ketorolac, morphine, and normal saline placebo (volume-equivalent) to maintain blinding of 
the study subjects. 
 
The emergency department resident, fellow, or attending, or a study investigator who is a physician, 
will place an order for the study medication. This order will be placed as a non-formulary medication, 
with both the dose of IV acetaminophen and its volume equivalence, with the study protocol number 
and participant number (ie: 1000 mg acetaminophen/100 mL; protocol # XYZ, participant #1). This is 
to ensure the patient receives the correct dose or volume equivalent of the medication to which they 
are assigned.  
 
Upon receiving the order, the pharmacy staff will confirm which arm the patient is assigned to based 
off the participant number. They will then verify the dose of acetaminophen or the volume of placebo 
is correct. The pharmacy staff will then prepare the medication. The nurse assigned to the patient will 
administer the intervention (acetaminophen) or placebo (normal saline). Prior to administration, all 
medication labeling will be obscured to maintain blinding of the patient, their family members, nurses, 
and physicians.  
 
The ED physician (resident, fellow, or attending) will approach the patient to obtain a pain score at 
designated time intervals. The data will be recorded in the electronic health record (EHR). If the 
patient requests additional medication, the orders will be placed by the medical resident or attending 
that are assigned to the patient in the ED. 
 
All data retrieved from the EHR will be transcribed into an encrypted and password protected 
electronic database by the study investigators. 
 
All patient identifiers will be de-identified in the database. All participants will be assigned a study 
participant number. This database will be stored in the Emergency Department faculty or research 
room. Only the study investigators will have access to the electronic database.  
 
At the end of study enrollment, the data will be analyzed.  
 
At the conclusion of the study, the final results and conclusions will be presented to the IRB. All data 
recorded on electronic databases will be deleted. 
 
G. Potential Risks or Adverse Events: 
The most common associated adverse reactions reported in pediatrics include nausea, vomiting, 
constipation, and pruritus. Potential serious risks involved include hepatic injury, serious skin 
reactions, allergy, and hypersensitivity. In the event any of these events occur, the medication will be 
discontinued immediately (if still being administered), or appropriate supportive care will be initiated if 
occurs after administration is complete.  
 
H. Potential Benefits: 
Potential benefits of this medication are better pain control with fewer side effects than seen with 
opioids.  
 


 
 
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I. Questionnaires and Survey Instruments: 
None.  
 
INVESTIGATOR QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: see attached CVs  
 
SUBJECT IDENTIFICATION, RECRUITMENT, AND CONSENT/ASSENT  
Consent and procedure timeline/process 
The pediatric EM attending, fellow, or resident caring for the patient will determine if the patient is 
eligible. If the patient is eligible, and has no criteria that would exclude them from the study, the 
parents will be asked to participate (see verbal consent script and documentation of verbal consent 
forms). Patients will be asked to participate solely based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Consent will 
be obtained by the PEM attending physician or fellow.  
 
Subject Comprehension  
We will provide a verbal consent script to guarantee a standardized delivery of verbal consent. This 
will also maximize the patient’s comprehension of the study, by using basic language that is easy to 
understand.   
 
Costs and Compensation to Subjects 
There will be no costs or compensation to subjects taking part in this study. 
 
Potential Conflict of Interest and Funding 
Funding for this study will be provided by internal departmental funds. No funds will accrue to any of 
the investigators. No funding is sought or exists from commercial sources. No relationship exists or is 
sought with any commercial company. 
 
References:   
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016, August 31). Sickle Cell Disease. Retrieved 
August 2017, from CDC : https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/data.html 
 
2. Piccone, C. (2011). Sickle Cell Disease. In T. Florin, & S. Ludwig, Netter's Pediatrics (pp. 326-330). 
Philadelphia, PA: Saunders. 
 
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016, August 31). Sickle Cell Disease. Retrieved 
August 2017, from CDC : https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/data.html 
 
4. Singh R, Jordan R, Hanlon C. Economic Impact of Sickle Cell Hospitalization. Blood, 2014; 
124(21), 5971. 
 
5. Mvundara, M. Amendah D, Kavanagh PL, Sprinz PG, Grosse SD. Health care utilization and 
expenditures for privately and publicly insured children with sickle cell disease in the United States. 
Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2009 Oct;53(4):642-6.  
 
6. Kauf TL, Coates TD, Huazhi L, Mody-Patel N, Hartzema AG. The cost of health care for children 
and adults with sickle cell disease. Am. J. Hematol. 2009; 84:323–327. 


 
 
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7. Ballas SK, Gupta K, Adams-Graves P. Sickle cell pain: a critical reappraisal. (2012). Department of 
Medicine Faculty Papers. Paper 81. http://jdc.jefferson.edu/medfp/81 
 
8. Jacob E, Mueller BU. Pain experience of children with sickle cell disease who had prolonged 
hospitalizations for painful episodes. Pain Med. 2008; 9(1):13-21.  
 
9. Goldman RD, Mountstephen W, Kirby-Allen M, Friedman JN. Intravenous magnesium sulfate for 
vaso-occlusive episodes in sickle cell disease. Pediatrics. 2013; 132;e1634  
 
10. Steinberg M. Management of Sickle Cell Disease. N Engl J Med, 1999; 340:1021-1030 
 
11. Stinson J, Naser B. Paediatr Drugs. 2003;5(4):229-41.  
 
12. Zempsky, W. Evaluation and treatment of sickle cell pain in the emergency department: paths to a 
better future. Clin Pediatr Emerg Med. 2010 Dec 1; 11(4): 265–273. 
 
13. Sinatra RS, Jahr JS, Reynolds LW, Viscusi ER, Groudine SB, Payen-Champenois C. Efficacy and 
safety of single and repeated administration of 1 gram intravenous acetaminophen injection 
(paracetamol) for pain management after major orthopedic 
surgery. Anesthesiology. 2005;102(4):822-831.  
 
14. Sin B, Wai M, Tatunchak T, Motov S. The use of intravenous acetaminophen for acute pain in the 
emergency department. Acad Emerg Med. 2016;23(5):543–553 
 
15. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. (2017, February). Ofirmev. Retrieved August 2017, from Ofirmev 
First: http://ofirmev.com/Pharmacokinetics/ 
 
16. Eken C, Serinken M, Elicabuk H, Uyanik E, Erdal M. Intravenous paracetamol versus 
dexketoprofen versus morphine in acute mechanical low back pain in the emergency department: a 
randomised double-blind controlled trial. Emerg Med  
 
17. Baley K, Michalov K, Kossick M, McDowell M. Intravenous acetaminophen and intravenous 
ketorolac for management of pediatric surgical pain: A literature review. Am Assoc Nurs Anes J. 
2014; 82(1): 53-64.