Kidney CalculiNCT05100017
Methocarbamol vs Oxybutynin for Management of Pain and Discomfort S/P Ureteroscopy Procedure
A study testing Methocarbamol and Oxybutynin in people with Kidney Calculi and Kidney Diseases, run by Northwestern University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Stone disease is a common condition, affecting approximately 9% of Americans in 2007. It causes great morbidity and is also a costly condition, estimated to cost the US healthcare system approximately 3.79 billion dollars in 2007. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Kidney Calculi, Kidney Diseases, Nephrolithiasis
- What is being tested?
- Methocarbamol and Oxybutynin
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 126 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 30 Sep 2021to Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Men and women between age 18-80 years who are diagnosed with stones who undergo ureteroscopy and ureteral stent placement.
- Patients who consent to the procedure will be randomized in 1:1 fashion by RedCAP either to the methocarbamol or oxybutynin arm. All patients will receive standard of care diclofenac, tamsulosin, and pyridium for pain control plus one of the study drugs.
- Willing to take only diclofenac (or tramadol for patients with contraindication to diclofenac), phenazopyridine, and acetaminophen for post stent placement discomfort.
- Willing to sign the Informed Consent Form.
- Able to read, understand, and complete patient questionnaires, pain texts, and medication diary.
Who cannot join
- Active, symptomatic urinary tract infection.
- Non-stone related ureteral obstruction or stricture.
- Procedural trauma or significant retained stone burden that could significantly contribute to patient discomfort.
- Spinal cord injuries (sensory loss due to injury).
- Non-stone related voiding dysfunction requiring supplemental bladder drainage tubes for more than 24 hours post operatively.
- Chronic opioid usage for pain.
- Members of vulnerable patient populations.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Stone disease is a common condition, affecting approximately 9% of Americans in 2007. It causes great morbidity and is also a costly condition, estimated to cost the US healthcare system approximately 3.79 billion dollars in 2007. Ureteroscopy (URS) is the most commonly performed surgical treatment for upper tract stone disease. Ureteral stenting is a common practice after ureteroscopy and placed in ~75% of cases to prevent ureteral edema and renal obstruction. Unfortunately, ureteral stenting can be very painful and has been shown to increase the rate of emergency room visits. Many strategies have been attempted to decrease pain with ureteral stenting including modification of stent material and designs, but efforts so far have been unsuccessful in decreasing stent-related morbidity. Stent-related morbidity is hypothesized to be secondary to irritation of ureteral/bladder mucosa and muscle. Analgesics such as alpha blockers and NSAIDs have been shown to reduce stent morbidity. Anticholinergic drugs are also utilized as they decrease bladder spasms and, therefore, are hypothesized to reduce stent irritation. However, the evidence for anticholinergics has been conflicting. Anticholinergics also have a serious side effect profile including dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, and even dementia. Some authors even hypothesize that these side effects may offset any purported benefits the anticholinergics provide for stent-morbidity.
Methocarbamol is anti-spasmodic muscle relaxant that is believed to work by acting on central neurons and possibly by blocking sodium channels. Given that anticholinergics have many side effects and questionable efficacy, the investigators hypothesize that methocarbamol may achieve superior analgesia for stent morbidity and stent-related bladder spasms.
Read more
Oxybutynin is used for the treatment of overactive bladder. The rationale is that the oxybutynin relaxes the muscles in the bladder to help decrease problems of urgency and frequent urination caused by the urinary stent irritation. Since anticholinergics have multiple side effects, finding an equally efficacious alternative with less side effects is highly desirable.
This study will evaluate the clinical and demographic factors of patients undergoing ureteroscopy and treated postoperatively with methocarbamol vs. oxybutynin for stent-related morbidity. Additionally, the study will aim to understand the postoperative outcomes and complication rates of patients discharged with methocarbamol vs. oxybutynin after ureteroscopy with a ureteral stent in place.
Read the detailed description
This study is comparing the effectiveness of pain control after ureteroscopy for stone removal between two medications: oral Oxybutynin XL 10mg daily and oral Methocarbamol 750mg every six hours as needed for spasms. The study medications will be given in addition to a standard postoperative pain regiment including Tylenol 1000mg every six hours, Tamsulosin 0.4mg daily, phenazopyridine 200mg every eight hours, and diclofenac 50mg every eight hours, and finally the investigational agent (either oral oxybutynin XL 10mg once daily or oral methocarbamol 750mg every six hours as needed for pain depending on which group the participant is randomly assigned).
Patients who will be undergoing ureteroscopy for stone removal (anyone with upper tract stones, total stone burden < 2 cm) will be identified in clinic and consented to participate in the study. Patients will be randomized to either methocarbamol or oxybutynin in a 1:1 fashion using RedCAP prior to the procedure. Pain regimen after surgery includes: Tylenol 1000mg every six hours, Tamsulosin 0.4 mg daily, phenazopyridine 200mg every eight hours, and diclofenac 50mg every eight hours, and finally the investigational agent (either oral oxybutynin XL 10 mg once daily or oral methocarbamol 750mg every six hours as needed for pain). Both drugs are FDA approved, but will be used off-label for the purposes of this study. Although oxybutynin is not FDA approved for the treatment of ureteral spasms, multiple studies have been performed to study its efficacy for this indication and it will be used in an off-label fashion. The study will document age, sex, BMI, preoperative stone burden, laterality of surgery, OR duration, laser energy (kJ), laser settings, ureteral access sheath use, stent size, stent duration, stone analysis, preoperative urine culture, stone culture, and any medical comorbidities. Neither patients nor investigators will be blinded to which drug they are receiving.
Patients will be administered the PROMIS questionnaire, which has been validated for assessing ureteral stent symptoms. The VAS pain scale will also be administered to assess pain (scores from 1-10). The PROMIS questionnaire and VAS pain scale will be administered at time of study enrollment or prior to surgery. The questionnaire and VAS pain scale will be administered daily by text message (RedCAP electronic survey) from POD1 until the day of stent removal, and 1 day after the stent is removed. Stent removal typically occurs 3-7 days after surgery. The questionnaires will be completed by the patient on a mobile device. Patients will be asked to complete a drug diary, so study investigators can ensure they took the medication as prescribed. On the final survey (the one sent 1day after stent removal), the study investigators will also inquire about if the patient had any unplanned clinic or ED visits during the period the stent was in.
- Conditions
- Kidney Calculi, Kidney Diseases, Nephrolithiasis, Urolithiasis, Ureteral Diseases, Ureteral Calculi
- Being tested
- Methocarbamol, Oxybutynin
- Medical subject headings
- Kidney Calculi, Kidney Diseases, Nephrolithiasis, Urolithiasis, Ureteral Diseases, Ureteral Calculi
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
MethocarbamolDrug
Patients will receive oral Methocarbamol 750mg every six hours as needed for pain post ureteroscopy in addition to the standard postoperative pain regimen.
OxybutyninDrug
Patients will receive oral Oxybutynin XL 10mg daily for pain post ureteroscopy in addition to the standard postoperative pain regimen.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Methocarbamol | Active comparator | Patients will receive oral Methocarbamol 750mg every six hours after ureteroscopy as needed for pain in addition to the standard postoperative pain regimen (Tylenol 1000mg every six hours, Tamsulosin 0.4mg daily, phenazopyridine 200mg every eight hours, and diclofenac 50mg every eight hours). Receives: Drug: Methocarbamol |
| Oxybutynin | Active comparator | Patients will receive oral Oxybutynin XL 10mg daily after ureteroscopy as needed for pain in addition to the standard postoperative pain regimen (Tylenol 1000mg every six hours, Tamsulosin 0.4mg daily, phenazopyridine 200mg every eight hours, and diclofenac 50mg every eight hours). Receives: Drug: Oxybutynin |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Patient discomfort/pain after ureteroscopy and ureteral stent placement
Patients will be administered the VAS pain scale to assess pain scores (score from 1-10). The VAS pain scale will be administered at the time of study enrollment, daily from POD1 until the day of stent removal, and 1 day after the stent is removed.
Measured: 1 week
Patient ureteral stent symptoms after ureteroscopy and ureteral stent placement
Patients will be administered the PROMIS questionnaire, which has been validated for assessing ureteral stent symptoms. The questionnaire will be administered at the time of study enrollment, daily from POD1 until the day of stent removal, and 1 day after the stent is removed.
Measured: 1 week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Oct 2021
- Study start30 Sep 2021
- Primary completion30 Jun 2025
- Study completionDec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Kidney CalculiStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Northwestern UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 126 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Northwestern University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Amy Krambeck, Northwestern University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05100017
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STU00214901
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Oct 2021
- Last updated
- 13 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Methocarbamol vs Oxybutynin for Management of Pain and Discomfort S/P Ureteroscopy Procedure
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05100017
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- STU00214901
- Conditions
- Kidney Calculi, Kidney Diseases, Nephrolithiasis, Urolithiasis, Ureteral Diseases, Ureteral Calculi
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 126 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Northwestern UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 Sep 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 29 Oct 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Stone disease is a common condition, affecting approximately 9% of Americans in 2007. It causes great morbidity and is also a costly condition, estimated to cost the US healthcare system approximately 3.79 billion dollars in 2007. Ureteroscopy (URS) is the most commonly performed surgical treatment for upper tract stone disease. Ureteral stenting is a common practice after ureteroscopy and placed in ~75% of cases to prevent ureteral edema and renal obstruction. Unfortunately, ureteral stenting can be very painful and has been shown to increase the rate of emergency room visits. Many strategies have been attempted to decrease pain with ureteral stenting including modification of stent material and designs, but efforts so far have been unsuccessful in decreasing stent-related morbidity. Stent-related morbidity is hypothesized to be secondary to irritation of ureteral/bladder mucosa and muscle. Analgesics such as alpha blockers and NSAIDs have been shown to reduce stent morbidity. Anticholinergic drugs are also utilized as they decrease bladder spasms and, therefore, are hypothesized to reduce stent irritation. However, the evidence for anticholinergics has been conflicting. Anticholinergics also have a serious side effect profile including dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, and even dementia. Some authors even hypothesize that these side effects may offset any purported benefits the anticholinergics provide for stent-morbidity.
Methocarbamol is anti-spasmodic muscle relaxant that is believed to work by acting on central neurons and possibly by blocking sodium channels. Given that anticholinergics have many side effects and questionable efficacy, the investigators hypothesize that methocarbamol may achieve superior analgesia for stent morbidity and stent-related bladder spasms.
Oxybutynin is used for the treatment of overactive bladder. The rationale is that the oxybutynin relaxes the muscles in the bladder to help decrease problems of urgency and frequent urination caused by the urinary stent irritation. Since anticholinergics have multiple side effects, finding an equally efficacious alternative with less side effects is highly desirable.
This study will evaluate the clinical and demographic factors of patients undergoing ureteroscopy and treated postoperatively with methocarbamol vs. oxybutynin for stent-related morbidity. Additionally, the study will aim to understand the postoperative outcomes and complication rates of patients discharged with methocarbamol vs. oxybutynin after ureteroscopy with a ureteral stent in place.
Detailed description
This study is comparing the effectiveness of pain control after ureteroscopy for stone removal between two medications: oral Oxybutynin XL 10mg daily and oral Methocarbamol 750mg every six hours as needed for spasms. The study medications will be given in addition to a standard postoperative pain regiment including Tylenol 1000mg every six hours, Tamsulosin 0.4mg daily, phenazopyridine 200mg every eight hours, and diclofenac 50mg every eight hours, and finally the investigational agent (either oral oxybutynin XL 10mg once daily or oral methocarbamol 750mg every six hours as needed for pain depending on which group the participant is randomly assigned).
Patients who will be undergoing ureteroscopy for stone removal (anyone with upper tract stones, total stone burden < 2 cm) will be identified in clinic and consented to participate in the study. Patients will be randomized to either methocarbamol or oxybutynin in a 1:1 fashion using RedCAP prior to the procedure. Pain regimen after surgery includes: Tylenol 1000mg every six hours, Tamsulosin 0.4 mg daily, phenazopyridine 200mg every eight hours, and diclofenac 50mg every eight hours, and finally the investigational agent (either oral oxybutynin XL 10 mg once daily or oral methocarbamol 750mg every six hours as needed for pain). Both drugs are FDA approved, but will be used off-label for the purposes of this study. Although oxybutynin is not FDA approved for the treatment of ureteral spasms, multiple studies have been performed to study its efficacy for this indication and it will be used in an off-label fashion. The study will document age, sex, BMI, preoperative stone burden, laterality of surgery, OR duration, laser energy (kJ), laser settings, ureteral access sheath use, stent size, stent duration, stone analysis, preoperative urine culture, stone culture, and any medical comorbidities. Neither patients nor investigators will be blinded to which drug they are receiving.
Patients will be administered the PROMIS questionnaire, which has been validated for assessing ureteral stent symptoms. The VAS pain scale will also be administered to assess pain (scores from 1-10). The PROMIS questionnaire and VAS pain scale will be administered at time of study enrollment or prior to surgery. The questionnaire and VAS pain scale will be administered daily by text message (RedCAP electronic survey) from POD1 until the day of stent removal, and 1 day after the stent is removed. Stent removal typically occurs 3-7 days after surgery. The questionnaires will be completed by the patient on a mobile device. Patients will be asked to complete a drug diary, so study investigators can ensure they took the medication as prescribed. On the final survey (the one sent 1day after stent removal), the study investigators will also inquire about if the patient had any unplanned clinic or ED visits during the period the stent was in.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Methocarbamol | Active comparator | Drug: MethocarbamolPatients will receive oral Methocarbamol 750mg every six hours after ureteroscopy as needed for pain in addition to the standard postoperative pain regimen (Tylenol 1000mg every six hours, Tamsulosin 0.4mg daily, phenazopyridine 200mg every eight hours, and diclofenac 50mg every eight hours). |
| Oxybutynin | Active comparator | Drug: OxybutyninPatients will receive oral Oxybutynin XL 10mg daily after ureteroscopy as needed for pain in addition to the standard postoperative pain regimen (Tylenol 1000mg every six hours, Tamsulosin 0.4mg daily, phenazopyridine 200mg every eight hours, and diclofenac 50mg every eight hours). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Men and women between age 18-80 years who are diagnosed with stones who undergo ureteroscopy and ureteral stent placement.
- Patients who consent to the procedure will be randomized in 1:1 fashion by RedCAP either to the methocarbamol or oxybutynin arm. All patients will receive standard of care diclofenac, tamsulosin, and pyridium for pain control plus one of the study drugs.
- Willing to take only diclofenac (or tramadol for patients with contraindication to diclofenac), phenazopyridine, and acetaminophen for post stent placement discomfort.
- Willing to sign the Informed Consent Form.
- Able to read, understand, and complete patient questionnaires, pain texts, and medication diary.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Active, symptomatic urinary tract infection.
- Non-stone related ureteral obstruction or stricture.
- Procedural trauma or significant retained stone burden that could significantly contribute to patient discomfort.
- Spinal cord injuries (sensory loss due to injury).
- Non-stone related voiding dysfunction requiring supplemental bladder drainage tubes for more than 24 hours post operatively.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| MethocarbamolPatients will receive oral Methocarbamol 750mg every six hours as needed for pain post ureteroscopy in addition to the standard postoperative pain regimen. | Drug | Methocarbamol |
| OxybutyninPatients will receive oral Oxybutynin XL 10mg daily for pain post ureteroscopy in addition to the standard postoperative pain regimen. | Drug | Oxybutynin |
Primary outcome
Patient discomfort/pain after ureteroscopy and ureteral stent placement
Time frame: 1 week
Patients will be administered the VAS pain scale to assess pain scores (score from 1-10). The VAS pain scale will be administered at the time of study enrollment, daily from POD1 until the day of stent removal, and 1 day after the stent is removed.
Patient ureteral stent symptoms after ureteroscopy and ureteral stent placement
Time frame: 1 week
Patients will be administered the PROMIS questionnaire, which has been validated for assessing ureteral stent symptoms. The questionnaire will be administered at the time of study enrollment, daily from POD1 until the day of stent removal, and 1 day after the stent is removed.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Oct 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Methocarbamol and Oxybutynin in people with Kidney Calculi and Kidney Diseases, run by Northwestern University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Patient discomfort/pain after ureteroscopy and ureteral stent placement (time frame: 1 week). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Oct 2026.