In short
Currently, there is 1 ongoing clinical trial for merycism (also known as rumination syndrome). This trial is investigating the effectiveness of clebopride, a medication that helps improve stomach and intestinal movement, in reducing symptoms of involuntary food regurgitation. The study is being conducted in Belgium and uses a crossover design where participants receive both the active medication and a placebo at different times.
Clinical trial locations
- Belgium
Study on Clebopride for Treating Rumination Syndrome in Patients Suspected of Having the Condition
This clinical trial is examining how well clebopride works in treating rumination syndrome, a digestive disorder where food comes back up into the mouth from the stomach shortly after eating. The study compares clebopride tablets with placebo tablets that look identical but contain no active medication.
Who can participate:
- Adults aged 18 years or older
- People with a medical history consistent with probable rumination syndrome, as assessed by a gastroenterologist
- Those who have had a gastro-duodenoscopy (a procedure to examine the stomach and esophagus) within the past 12 months to rule out anatomical problems
- People who have tried taking omeprazole (a stomach acid-reducing medication) at a dose equivalent to 20mg daily for at least 2 weeks
- Sexually active women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception, such as birth control pills, injections, implants, intrauterine devices, or barrier methods like condoms
- Those able to understand and willing to sign a written consent form
Who cannot participate:
- Patients with rumination syndrome (note: this appears to be an error in the source data, as the trial is specifically for treating rumination syndrome)
What the trial involves:
The study focuses on evaluating whether clebopride can effectively reduce symptoms of rumination syndrome and improve patients' quality of life. This is a crossover trial, meaning each participant will receive both the active medication and the placebo at different times. The trial is double-blind, so neither participants nor researchers will know who is receiving which treatment during the study periods.
Participants will take tablets three times daily. In one treatment period, they will receive clebopride (0.5 mg tablets), and in another period, they will receive placebo tablets. After completing one treatment period, participants will switch to the other treatment.
Throughout the study, participants will evaluate their symptoms using a scoring system that ranges from -4 to +4, and they will keep a Daily Symptom Diary to record their experiences. Additional assessments may include High-Resolution Impedance Manometry, a test that measures digestive function. The trial is expected to continue until the end of 2025.
Investigational drug:
Clebopride is a prokinetic agent that works by enhancing the movement of the stomach and intestines. This improved motility can help reduce the regurgitation of food in people with rumination syndrome. The medication is administered orally as tablets and is being studied to determine if it can improve the overall treatment experience for patients with this condition.
Summary
Currently, only one clinical trial is actively recruiting patients with merycism, and it is located in Belgium. The trial focuses specifically on clebopride, a prokinetic medication that aims to improve gastrointestinal motility and reduce involuntary regurgitation symptoms. The crossover design allows each participant to experience both the active treatment and placebo, providing robust data on the medication's effectiveness. This trial represents an important step in exploring treatment options for rumination syndrome, a condition that can significantly impact daily life and social interactions.
