What are clinical trials?

A research study (also referred to as a clinical trial) is a study in which people volunteer to test a new medical treatment. By conducting clinical trials, we learn and understand whether new medications are safe and effective. Also, currently approved medications can also undergo testing for treatment of new indications. Clinical trials are needed to develop new medications for many conditions, including: high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, depression, insomnia, Alzheimer’s, etc. Once a new drug is found to be safe and effective, it may be approved by the FDA for doctors to prescribe

What Should Study Volunteers Expect?

To be assigned to a group that is given the study drug or to a group that is given a placebo (an inactive product, like a sugar pill)
Your medical history is to be reviewed
To have a physical exam
To have your blood drawn for study-specific tests
To be asked to complete several study visits
Your health is to be checked throughout the time you are in the study

General Information

Please be sure to bring the proper identification to your initial visit. During this visit you will be given an Informed Consent Form. You will sit in a private room with the doctor or a study coordinator to discuss the purpose of the study, the risks, benefits, known side effects, as well as all procedures that will take place during the clinical trial.
Once the consent form has been explained, discussed and signed by all applicable parties (some clinical trials require a caregiver or other such person to be present during this process) you will begin the procedures of the actual study or be scheduled to come in another day depending study requirements.