A study shows a needle-free nasal spray containing sufentanil and ketamine effectively reduces pain in children with injuries, offering a new option for emergency care.

Research presented at the European Emergency Medicine Congress indicates that a new nasal spray provides rapid, needle-free pain relief for children in emergency departments. The study, involving 152 children in the UK and Spain, found that the treatment significantly reduced pain levels within 30 minutes. The medication, which combines sufentanil and ketamine, is being developed under the European Medicines Agency's pediatric-use marketing authorization scheme.

Study Methodology and Results

The research followed 152 children aged 1 to 17 who were treated for injuries including fractures, dislocations, burns, and soft tissue damage between May 2024 and May 2025. Patients received a weight-adjusted dose of the nasal spray, with pain levels assessed at 15 and 30 minutes post-treatment. After 15 minutes, 54% of children reported less pain, a figure that rose to 88% after 30 minutes. Additionally, 86.2% of participants experienced a reduction in pain by approximately half within the 30-minute window.

Clinical Observations and Future Availability

Researchers noted that the treatment was well-tolerated, with reported side effects limited to mild symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and nasal itching. Shammi Ramlakhan, an emergency medicine consultant involved in the study, stated that the spray addresses a critical gap in pediatric care where few effective, non-invasive options currently exist. The treatment is expected to become available for use in Europe in the near future.