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Placebo (for oral opioids)
A placebo produces therapeutic effects through psychological and psychophysiological mechanisms, including expectation, conditioning, and natural disease course, rather than through pharmacological action.
A placebo produces therapeutic effects through psychological and psychophysiological mechanisms, including expectation, conditioning, and natural disease course, rather than through pharmacological action. Used for Opioid use disorder or opioid withdrawal (as a control or comparative intervention in clinical research).
At a glance
| Generic name | Placebo (for oral opioids) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Odense University Hospital |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Pain Management / Opioid Dependence |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Placebos activate endogenous neurobiological pathways that can modulate pain perception, anxiety, and other symptoms through expectation and belief. In the context of opioid use, a placebo may reduce perceived pain intensity and withdrawal symptoms via central nervous system mechanisms involving dopamine, endogenous opioids, and other neurotransmitters. The effect is real and measurable, though it does not involve the drug's active pharmaceutical ingredient.
Approved indications
- Opioid use disorder or opioid withdrawal (as a control or comparative intervention in clinical research)
Common side effects
Key clinical trials
- Dronabinol in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) (PHASE4)
- A Study of Suvorexant (MK-4305) for the Treatment of Insomnia Disorder in Participants With Opioid Use Disorder (MK-4305-098) (PHASE3)
- Efficacy and Safety of Sustained-release Dexamphetamine in Patients With Moderate to Severe Cocaine Use Disorder (PHASE2)
- Evaluation of Oral Morphine Gel in Oral Mucositis Induced by Chemotherapy in Children and Young Adults (PHASE3)
- Open-label Placebo for Pain Management in Adolescents and Young Adults Undergoing Bernese Periacetabular Osteotomy (NA)
- Open-label Placebo (COLP) for Pain in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) Surgery+Surgical Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis (NA)
- High-dose Prophylactic Gabapentin (HOPE) vs. Placebo to Prevent Opioid Use for Oral Mucositis Pain During Concurrent Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer (PHASE3)
- Cannabidiol for Postoperative Opioid Reduction in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty (PHASE2)
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:
- Placebo (for oral opioids) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Placebo (for oral opioids) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Odense University Hospital portfolio CI