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Placebo Capsules
Placebo capsules contain no active pharmaceutical ingredient and produce therapeutic effects primarily through the placebo effect.
Placebo Capsules, marketed by Repros Therapeutics Inc., currently holds a unique position in the pharmaceutical market due to its lack of active therapeutic ingredients. The key composition patent for Placebo Capsules is set to expire in 2028, which may pose a significant risk as it could lead to increased competition from generic manufacturers.
At a glance
| Generic name | Placebo Capsules |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Placebo, Study drug, silicified microcrystalline cellulose, placebo, placebo gelcaps |
| Sponsor | Repros Therapeutics Inc. |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Placebo capsules are inert formulations used as control comparators in clinical trials and sometimes as therapeutic agents that rely on patient expectation and the psychobiological placebo response. They contain no active drug substance and any observed clinical benefit derives from psychological mechanisms, conditioning, and the therapeutic context rather than direct pharmacological action.
Approved indications
- Clinical trial control comparator
- Conditions responsive to placebo effect
Common side effects
- Nocebo effects (adverse events attributed to placebo)
Key clinical trials
- Safety and Efficacy of L. Lactis CKDB001 in Subjects With Early Alzheimer's Disease (NA)
- The Effects of Resistance Training and a Plant-Based Supplement on Perimenopausal Symptoms and Muscle Health. (NA)
- Efficacy of Nigella Sativa (Nisatol®) in Women With Borderline Blood Pressure Values or a Non-Dipper Blood Pressure Phenotype (NA)
- Psilocybe Cubensis Mushrooms With or Without Fluoxetine for Refractory Depression (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Bomedemstat vs Hydroxyurea for Essential Thrombocythemia (MK-3543-007) (PHASE3)
- IRELAnD: Investigating the Role of Early Low-dose Aspirin in Diabetes (PHASE3)
- A Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) With or Without Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) as First Line (1L) Intervention in a Programmed Cell Death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) Selected Population With Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) (MK-7902-010) (KEYNOTE-010) (PHASE3)
- Effect of L. Reuteri LM1063 on Sleep Health Improvement (NA)
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 |