CompletedPhase 2

Mexiletine in Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (SALS)

United States75 participantsStarted 2013-07

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this research is to find out if mexiletine is safe and effective in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). In this trial, participants will be taking either 300 milligrams per day of mexiletine, 900 milligrams per day of mexiletine or placebo (non-active study drug). The safety and efficacy of these doses will be compared to see if one dose is better than the other.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (SALS) diagnosed as possible, laboratory-supported probable, probable, or definite ALS as defined by revised El Escorial criteria. * Age 18 years or older. * Disease duration ≤ 36 months from ALS symptom onset. * Capable of providing informed consent and following trial procedures. * Subjects must not have taken riluzole for at least 30 days or be on a 50 milligrams twice daily dose of riluzole for at least 60 days prior to randomization (riluzole-naïve subjects are permitted in the study). * Subjects must not have taken medication for muscle cramping such as cyclobenzaprine, baclofen, carisoprodol, or methocarbamol, for at least 30 days prior to randomization or be on a stable dose for at least 60 days prior to randomization. * Geographic accessibility to the site. * Women must not become pregnant for the duration of the study and must be willing to use two contraceptive therapies and have a negative pregnancy test throughout the course of the study. * Slow vital capacity (SVC) measure greater than or equal to 50% of predicted for gender, height, and age at the screening visit. * Subjects medically able to undergo lumbar puncture (LP) as determined by the investigator (for example, no bleeding disorder, allergy to local anesthetics, a skin infection at or near the LP site, or evidence of high intracranial pressure). * Must be able to swallow capsules throughout the course of the study, according to Principal Inves…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Percentage of Participants That Discontinued Study Drug

Timeframe: Screening, Baseline Visit Pre-Dose and Post-Dose, Weeks 2, 6, and 12, and at the Final Safety Visit, if a subject discontinues study drug early. Adverse Events will be assessed via telephone Weeks 1, 10, and 16.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT01849770

SponsorUniversity of Washington

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2014-08

Results submitted2015-07-07

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis trials