Last reviewed 2026-04-22 · How we verify

Placebo Pills

NYU Langone Health · FDA-approved active Small molecule Quality 5/100

Placebo Pills is a Small molecule drug developed by NYU Langone Health. It is currently FDA-approved for Control comparator in clinical trials, Symptomatic relief in conditions with significant placebo-responsive components (e.g., chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome). Also known as: Estrace® Tablets, Placebo, lactose, placebo.

Placebo pills produce therapeutic effects through the patient's expectation and belief that they will work, activating endogenous healing mechanisms.

Placebo Pills, marketed by NYU Langone Health, currently holds a unique position in the pharmaceutical market without a defined primary indication or direct competitors. The key composition patent is set to expire in 2028, which may provide a period of market exclusivity and revenue protection. However, the lack of a clear mechanism and primary indication poses a significant risk, potentially limiting its market appeal and adoption.

At a glance

Generic name	Placebo Pills
Also known as	Estrace® Tablets, Placebo, lactose, placebo
Sponsor	NYU Langone Health
Modality	Small molecule
Therapeutic area	Multiple (symptom-dependent; commonly pain, nausea, fatigue)
Phase	FDA-approved

Mechanism of action

Placebo effects operate through psychological and neurobiological pathways, including expectation, conditioning, and activation of the brain's reward and pain-modulation systems. While placebos contain no active pharmaceutical ingredient, they can produce measurable clinical improvements in subjective symptoms such as pain, nausea, and fatigue, particularly in conditions with strong psychosomatic components. Placebo pills are used clinically and in research as control comparators and, in some cases, as therapeutic tools when the placebo effect itself is the intended mechanism.

Approved indications

Control comparator in clinical trials
Symptomatic relief in conditions with significant placebo-responsive components (e.g., chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome)

Common side effects

Nocebo effects (adverse events attributed to placebo)

Key clinical trials

Autonomic Determinants of POTS - Pilot1 (EARLY_PHASE1)
Diclofenac as a KMO Inhibitor (EARLY_PHASE1)
Autonomic Determinants of POTS - Pilot 2 (EARLY_PHASE1)
Curcumin to Improve Inflammation and Symptoms in Patients With Clonal Cytopenia of Undetermined Significance, Low Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome, and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (PHASE2)
Pharmacological and Behavioral Treatment After Bariatric Surgery: Acute (Stage 1) (PHASE2, PHASE3)
Defining Neurobiological Links Between Substance Use and Mental Illness (NA)
Dronabinol in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) (PHASE4)
Acute Vitamin D Supplementation on Testosterone in Females (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

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

Placebo Pills CI brief — competitive landscape report
Placebo Pills updates RSS · CI watch RSS
NYU Langone Health portfolio CI

Frequently asked questions about Placebo Pills

What is Placebo Pills?

Placebo Pills is a Small molecule drug developed by NYU Langone Health, indicated for Control comparator in clinical trials, Symptomatic relief in conditions with significant placebo-responsive components (e.g., chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome).

How does Placebo Pills work?

Placebo pills produce therapeutic effects through the patient's expectation and belief that they will work, activating endogenous healing mechanisms.

What is Placebo Pills used for?

Placebo Pills is indicated for Control comparator in clinical trials, Symptomatic relief in conditions with significant placebo-responsive components (e.g., chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome).

Who makes Placebo Pills?

Placebo Pills is developed and marketed by NYU Langone Health (see full NYU Langone Health pipeline at /company/nyu-langone-health).

Is Placebo Pills also known as anything else?

Placebo Pills is also known as Estrace® Tablets, Placebo, lactose, placebo.

What development phase is Placebo Pills in?

Placebo Pills is FDA-approved (marketed).

What are the side effects of Placebo Pills?

Common side effects of Placebo Pills include Nocebo effects (adverse events attributed to placebo).

Manufacturer: NYU Langone Health — full pipeline
Therapeutic area: All drugs in Multiple (symptom-dependent; commonly pain, nausea, fatigue)
Indication: Drugs for Control comparator in clinical trials
Indication: Drugs for Symptomatic relief in conditions with significant placebo-responsive components (e.g., chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome)
Also known as: Estrace® Tablets, Placebo, lactose, placebo

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing