Last reviewed · How we verify
Placebo (Capsule/Tablet)
Placebo contains no active pharmaceutical ingredient and produces therapeutic effects primarily through the placebo effect—the patient's expectation of benefit.
Placebo contains no active pharmaceutical ingredient and produces therapeutic effects primarily through the placebo effect—the patient's expectation of benefit. Used for Control arm in clinical trials.
At a glance
| Generic name | Placebo (Capsule/Tablet) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Placebo |
| Sponsor | Gasherbrum Bio, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Structure Therapeutics |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Placebo is an inert substance formulated as a capsule or tablet that mimics the appearance of an active drug. It works through psychobiological mechanisms including expectation, conditioning, and the natural history of disease, rather than through direct molecular interaction with disease targets. Placebo effects are well-documented in clinical settings and can produce measurable improvements in subjective symptoms and some objective outcomes.
Approved indications
- Control arm in clinical trials
Common side effects
- Nocebo effects (adverse events attributed to placebo expectation)
Key clinical trials
- Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial EValuating Baricitinib on PERSistent NEurologic and Cardiopulmonary Symptoms of Long COVID (PHASE3)
- A Clinical Study of Islatravir and Ulonivirine for People With HIV-1 Who Have Not Been Treated Before (MK-8591B-062) (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Enlicitide (MK-0616, Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor) Compared With Ezetimibe or Bempedoic Acid or Ezetimibe and Bempedoic Acid in Adults With Hypercholesterolemia (MK-0616-018/CORALreef AddOn) (PHASE3)
- Effects of Different Caffeine Forms on Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise Performance (NA)
- A Study of LY4268989 (MORF-057) in Healthy Participants (PHASE1)
- Dronabinol in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) (PHASE4)
- Safety and Effect on Pain and Function According to RAPID-3 of IHL-675A in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis (PHASE2)
- Phase I PK and Safety Study of Ondansetron Inhalation Powder (PHASE1)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape: