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Placebo/sugar pill
A placebo/sugar pill produces therapeutic effects primarily through the placebo effect, wherein the expectation of treatment triggers physiological and psychological responses independent of any active pharmacological ingredient.
A placebo/sugar pill produces therapeutic effects primarily through the placebo effect, wherein the expectation of treatment triggers physiological and psychological responses independent of any active pharmacological ingredient. Used for Used as control in clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas.
At a glance
| Generic name | Placebo/sugar pill |
|---|---|
| Also known as | placebo |
| Sponsor | University of Alabama at Birmingham |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Placebos work through multiple mechanisms including expectation-driven neural pathways, conditioning, and the natural history of disease. The patient's belief that they are receiving treatment can activate endogenous pain-relief systems, reduce anxiety, and modulate immune responses. This is particularly effective for subjective symptoms such as pain, nausea, and fatigue.
Approved indications
- Used as control in clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas
Common side effects
- Nocebo effects (adverse events attributed to placebo)
Key clinical trials
- Diclofenac as a KMO Inhibitor (EARLY_PHASE1)
- Curcumin to Improve Inflammation and Symptoms in Patients With Clonal Cytopenia of Undetermined Significance, Low Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome, and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (PHASE2)
- Polygenic Risk-based Detection of Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis and Intervention With Statin and Colchicine (PHASE4)
- Effects of Pioglitazone on Exogenous Carbohydrate Oxidation During Steady-State Exercise at High Altitude (PHASE4)
- Adjuvant Curcumin to Assess Recurrence Free Survival in Patients Who Have Had a Radical Prostatectomy (PHASE3)
- Open-label Placebo (COLP) for Pain in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) Surgery+Surgical Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis (NA)
- Drug Therapy Induced Weight Loss to Improve Blood Vessel Function in Subjects With Obesity (PHASE2)
- Enhancing Parasympathetic Activity to Improve Endothelial Dysfunction, Vascular Oxidative Stress in African Americans (PHASE1, 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 |