The word “placebo” makes many potential participants nervous. Here is what you actually need to know about placebos in clinical trials.
What Is a Placebo?
A placebo is an inactive substance, such as a sugar pill, saline injection, or topical cream with no active ingredient, that looks identical to the actual study treatment. Placebos are used to help researchers determine whether a treatment’s effects are real or caused by patients’ expectations.
When Are Placebos Used?
Not all clinical trials use placebos. When they are used, the study is typically “blinded”, meaning participants and sometimes researchers do not know who is receiving the active treatment and who is receiving the placebo.
Will I Know If I Am Receiving a Placebo?
In blinded studies, you will not know during the trial. However, you will typically be told after the study ends. Before you enroll, the consent process will tell you whether the study includes a placebo arm and what your chances of receiving one are.
Are Placebos Safe?
Yes. A placebo, by definition, contains no active ingredients and causes no direct harm. The ethical concern is not the placebo itself but ensuring that participants are not denied needed medical care.
What If I Need Standard Treatment?
Ethical guidelines prohibit withholding treatment that a participant urgently needs. If you require standard care for your condition, the research team will ensure you receive it, even if this means withdrawing from the study.
Bottom Line
Your safety always comes first. Contact NuLine with any questions about specific studies.