Comparative Efficacy of IV Dexamethasone vs. Nebulized Salbutamol for Renal Colic Pain in the ED

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MONASTIR · May 16, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effectiveness of two treatments for severe pain caused by renal colic, which is often related to kidney stones. Specifically, the trial will compare intravenous (IV) dexamethasone—a type of steroid used to reduce inflammation—against nebulized salbutamol, which is usually used for breathing issues but may help with pain relief in this situation. The goal is to see which treatment helps relieve pain more effectively in adults aged 18 to 65 who are experiencing significant discomfort.

To participate in this trial, individuals must be diagnosed with acute renal colic and have a pain score of 5 or higher on a scale of 0 to 10. However, people with certain health conditions, such as severe heart, liver, or kidney issues, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, cannot join. Participants can expect to receive one of the two treatments and will be monitored for pain relief and any side effects. This trial is important because it aims to find the best way to help patients suffering from this painful condition in the emergency department.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion criteria:
• • Adults aged 18-65 years
• • Clinical diagnosis of acute renal colic (defined as sudden sharp colicky flank pain with or without radiation to the genitalia or groin, and with or without urinary symptoms)
• • Pain score of 5 or more measured using the 10-cm NRS scale
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, or metabolic diseases
• • Evidence of sepsis or clinical suspicion of urinary tract infection
• • Hemodynamically unstable (systolic blood pressure \< 90 mmHg)
• • Uncontrolled diabetes
• • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• • Inability to understand verbal and/or written information
• • Received any analgesics within 6 hours prior to presentation
• • Serum potassium \< 3.7 mmol/L
• * Concomitant use of:
• • Any beta-blockers (including beta-blocker-containing eye drops)
• • Prolonged-release long-acting β-agonists
• • Short-acting β2-agonists within 6 hours prior to presentation
• • Contraindication to salbutamol use
• • Known allergy to paracetamol or salbutamol
• • Abdominal tenderness suggestive of peritoneal inflammation
• * Clinical suspicion of conditions other than urolithiasis, including:
• • Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• • Aortic dissection
• • History of drug dependence or chronic alcohol consumption