Recommendation ID
NG39/3
Question

Morphine compared with ketamine for first-line management of pain:- Is morphine clinically and cost effective compared with ketamine for first-line pharmacological pain management (in both pre-hospital and hospital settings) in patients with major trauma?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- The use of opioids as first-line analgesics after major trauma is well established but has been associated with negative side effects. Consequently, intravenous ketamine in sub-anaesthetic doses is often used for analgesia in pre-hospital and hospital settings. Some studies have suggested that intravenous morphine in combination with ketamine provides more effective analgesia than morphine alone. However, there is little evidence from well-controlled trials that directly compares the effectiveness and side effects of morphine and ketamine.


Source guidance details

Comes from guidance
Major trauma: assessment and initial management
Number
NG39
Date issued
February 2016

Other details

Is this a recommendation for the use of a technology only in the context of research? No  
Is it a recommendation that suggests collection of data or the establishment of a register?   No  
Last Reviewed 29/02/2016