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Original poster

Has anyone (or do you know anyone) participated in a drug trail before?

14 replies

ComeOVeneer · 26/07/2006 15:13

Possibly should be under health, but I was wondering if anyone had ben involved in trails for an unlicensed drug (in particular a stage 3 trial)? DH has 24hrs to decide wether to sign up for one which could potentially help with his condition. Any advice or experience welcome.

OP posts:
Northerner · 26/07/2006 15:16

Stage 3 trials pretty safe IMO.

BonyM · 26/07/2006 15:19

I haven't, but dh works in drug development and as Northener says, stage 3 is pretty safe.

It takes a lot of time and money to get to this stage and therefore unless they were pretty certain there would be no ill effects, it wouldn't get this far.

Original poster
ComeOVeneer · 26/07/2006 15:24

But what about long term effects (these -if there are ant won't be apparent until the drug has been around for many years)?

OP posts:
saffymum · 26/07/2006 16:39

Stage 3 should be quite low risk. Please realise that there might be a slight risk of side effect in any situation though. My DH did a stage 3 drug trial about 8 years ago with 10 other guys, in the 3 weeks, 5 got the drug and 5 got placebos. The only actually took 3 pills each in total over 3 weeks and just got monitored for the rest of the time. It was a pill to get drug addicts off of drugs/reduce withdrawl symptoms. (uh he wasn't a drug addict!) He got paid £2.5k. He is fine now, just as mad as ever. But I would suggest you go through a place like Guys hospital or somewhere that has a good reputation rather than taking a chance. The money might not be worth it.

saffymum · 26/07/2006 16:40

Oh and they can't smoke or drink or take anything from outside the hospital.

Northerner · 26/07/2006 16:43

We don't know about long term effects of many new drugs anyway. DRugs with a licence could still cause long term effects that we don't know about.

Original poster
ComeOVeneer · 26/07/2006 17:00

It isn't for money it is a drug that would treat a condition he has and the trial lasts 2 years, they are looking for 5 more "candidates" his dermatologist called him today and said they need to know by tomorrow. The type of drug it is, is one that isn't avaliable on the nhs atm so he would get 2 years free treatment whilst on the trial (saving us thousands), but he is worried about what the long term effects could be. He said if he were single it would be different but as he is married and has dependants he isn't sure if he should go ahead.

OP posts:
saffymum · 26/07/2006 17:21

don't mean to offend re the money, just assumed! Is it a terminal condition or an illness? Don't mean to pry, tend to think its better to try and see if it could help, he will never know otherwise, rather try and fail than never try at all. Don't think a stage 3 would give hugely critical side effects. But its up to you to decide, good luck.

sobernow · 26/07/2006 17:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

geekgrrl · 26/07/2006 17:30

I participated in an asthma drug trial when I was at uni. I can't remember whether it was an unlicensed drug - it was basically a trial of standard steroid inhaler vs. a long-term bronchodilator. I had the steroid inhaler (could tell by the taste) and actually found it very useful to take part. I was quite shocked to realise how uncontrolled my asthma was to start with, and it was really interesting to see the improvement. Also saved me money in prescription fees, and I was given a little bit to cover expenses. And it was great to see specialist nurses for a change and have lots of in-depth tests done as part of the trial.
I agree with the other posters - the vast majority of drugs on trial are safe.

BonyM · 26/07/2006 22:11

Have just checked with dh on this. He says:

If it is a phase 3 trial then the drug will already have been in healthy volunteers and patients for a number of years (3-5 typically) and will have been through rigorous toxicology in both animals and humans.

Phase 3 is looking for rare side effects and a clear statistical advantage over existing drugs.

Of course, there is always the possibility of a rare side effect that wasn't apparent in the earlier stages of trials, but risks would be much lower at this stage.

HTH.

Original poster
ComeOVeneer · 27/07/2006 11:16

Thanks everyone. He has decided to go ahead and put himself forward as a potential candidate. He has to have a rigourous medical first to ensure he is suitable. Fingers crossed it will help him alot.

OP posts:
Bugsy2 · 27/07/2006 11:58

I did Stage 2 last year for painkilling drugs when I had my tonsils out. It was with Richmond Pharmaceutical. I felt well warned, tested & looked after during the trial. Have not negative comments about my own particular experience.
Good luck for your DH COV.

RubyRioja · 27/07/2006 12:03

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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