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Have you ever thought about joining a clinical trial? Many patients have benefited from participating in clinical trials. Edward Loftus Jr., M. D., discusses the pros and cons of entering a clinical trial for new drugs for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
What are the pros?
- Might get access to a drug years before it becomes commercially available.
- Watched by medical providers more carefully. Patients in clinical trials tend to do better regardless if they are on the controlled drug or placebo.
- The study tests and procedures are usually paid for by the sponsor of the trial.
- Many trials are very patient friendly.
What are the cons?
- People don't like feeling like a guinea pig.
- Logistics of the study center.
For more information on IBD, visit mayoclinic.org/ibd.
Dr. Loftus is a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic.
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