Experimental Drug Trials
By www.menhealthonline.biz
Coping with a chronic disease can be a difficult time for everyone involved. Depending on the situation, patients can feel restricted by the lack of viable treatment options. One alternative method of therapy often explored is the use of experimental drugs. These drugs are categorized as medicines that have not yet be approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for consumer release.
The FDA approval process for prescription medication can span 10 to 15 years depending on the medication. This can be a substantial waiting period for patients who face limited windows of treatment for their disease. By participating in the clinical trials of an experimental medicine, the patient is afforded an opportunity to try new treatments that would normally not be offered. Though the nature of clinical trials comes with substantial risk, some patients are willing to assume this chance in hopes of finding a cure. An important aspect in measuring this risk is to understand the phases of testing. The four phases of clinical drug trials are examined below.
Phase 1 Trials
The goal of a Phase 1 trial is to measure the general safety and tolerability of the chemical compound. This is the first step in determining the suitability of a medication for use in humans. The research is focused on dosage thresholds and identifying side effects, and typically last 6 to 12 months. Phase 1 trials are considered very unstable and risky. Because of this, they are normally carried out on healthy adults.
Phase 2 Trials
The directive of a Phase 2 trial is to determine whether or not the medication has the desired effect on a particular condition. These trials are usually setup as blinded experiments where multiple drugs and a placebo are randomized between subjects. Neither the subjects nor the administrators are aware of which method of treatment a subject receives. This allows researchers
