Last reviewed · How we verify
Placebo (PCB)
Placebo produces therapeutic effects through patient expectation and the psychobiological response to receiving treatment, rather than through a pharmacologically active ingredient.
Placebo produces therapeutic effects through patient expectation and the psychobiological response to receiving treatment, rather than through a pharmacologically active ingredient. Used for Control arm in phase 3 clinical trials (non-therapeutic use).
At a glance
| Generic name | Placebo (PCB) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | PCB or 0 mg, 0 mg |
| Sponsor | New York State Psychiatric Institute |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Placebo effects arise from complex neurobiological mechanisms including expectation, conditioning, and endogenous neurotransmitter release. In clinical trials, placebos serve as control comparators to distinguish true drug efficacy from placebo response. The magnitude of placebo effect varies by condition, route of administration, and patient belief.
Approved indications
- Control arm in phase 3 clinical trials (non-therapeutic use)
Common side effects
- Nocebo effects (adverse events attributed to placebo)
Key clinical trials
- Chlorhydrate of Ropivacaine and Breast Cancer Surgery (PHASE4)
- Safety, Tolerability, and Systemic Exposure of Apo-Si- K170A-C76 in Healthy Volunteers (PHASE1)
- Efficacy of Intravesical Oxybutynin in Children With Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction (PHASE3)
- Cannabidiol for Reducing Drinking in Alcohol Use Disorder (PHASE2)
- CBD for Chronic Radicular Pain on Chronic Opioid Therapy (COT) (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Placebo Optimization of the Presurgical Long-term Video-EEG Monitoring (NA)
- Autonomous Nervous System Regulated Paediatric Anaesthesia With Dexmedetomidine or Placebo (PHASE4)
- Sub Arachnoid Neurocysticercosis Treatment Outcome (SANTO) (PHASE3)
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 (PCB) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Placebo (PCB) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- New York State Psychiatric Institute portfolio CI