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Placebo oral liquid

McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre · FDA-approved active Small molecule

Placebo produces no pharmacological effect and works through psychological expectation and the placebo effect.

Placebo produces no pharmacological effect and works through psychological expectation and the placebo effect. Used for Clinical trial control/comparator (not a therapeutic indication).

At a glance

Generic namePlacebo oral liquid
Also known ashydrochloric acid
SponsorMcGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
ModalitySmall molecule
PhaseFDA-approved

Mechanism of action

Placebo is an inert substance with no active pharmaceutical ingredients. Its therapeutic effects, when observed, arise from patient expectation, conditioning, and psychological mechanisms rather than direct molecular action. It is commonly used as a control in clinical trials to distinguish true drug efficacy from placebo response.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

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