What is a clinical trial?

Answer:

A clinical trial is a research study conducted to evaluate a medical procedure or medical product, such as a drug. Each study is designed to answer scientific questions and find new and better ways to help people. With any new drug there are benefits as well as possible risks. There may also be some risks that are not yet known. 

Clinical trials help us find out if promising new treatments are safe and effective for patients. During a clinical trial, more and more information is gained about a new drug, its risks, and how well it may or may not work. You may be interested in or asked to enter a trial. Learn as much as you can about the clinical trial before deciding. Only patients that volunteer take part in a clinical trial.

Learn More:

• ClinicalTrials.gov
• Educational Materials About Clinical Trials (National Cancer Institute/NIH)
• Clinical Trials (National Institute of Mental Health/NIH)
• Clinical Research & Clinical Trials (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development/NIH)
• Alzheimer's Clinical Trials (National Institute on Aging/NIH)
• Clinical Trials/Studies Seeking Patients (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/NIH)
• Clinical Trials and Guidelines (National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse/NIH)
• Women & HIV/AIDS Research and Clinical Trials (Womenshealth.gov)

Last Updated: 09/12/2008