RecruitingPhase 3

Vancomycin Taper to Prevent Recurrent Clostridioides Difficile

Canada500 participantsStarted 2026-04-24

Plain-language summary

Indirect evidence from network meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that a pulse and taper (P-T) of vancomycin may be non-inferior to 10-days of fidaxomicin for the prevention of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections (rCDI). The aim of this trial is: 1\) For first episodes and first recurrences of CDI, to test whether a vancomycin P-T is non-inferior to 10-days of fidaxomicin for the prevention of rCDI at 56 days

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

. Inpatient or outpatient adults (≥18 years old) treated at the participating institutions.
. First episode or first recurrence of CDI (i.e., second episode within 120 days) defined by a positive C. difficile assay (including PCR toxin gene detection, toxin enzyme immunoassay, and/or cell cytotoxicity neutralization assay) and the presence of either ≥3 unformed stools in \<24 hours with a duration \>24 hours, endoscopic/histologic evidence of pseudomembranous colitis, or ileus. For eligibility, CDI will be considered a first recurrence if the patient experiences 2 episodes within a 120-day timeframe; those with a first ever episode, or 2 episodes separated by more than 120 days, will be categorized as a first-episode.

Exclusion criteria

. Treatment with CDI-active antibiotics that will be continued throughout the trial (i.e., rifaximin for hepatic encephalopathy).
. Planned or current treatment of the present episode of CDI with FMT, intravenous immunoglobulins, or other microbiome therapies (i.e., VOWST or REBYOTA).

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

CDI Recurrence

Timeframe: 56 days

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07328971

SponsorMcGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2030-06-01

Contact for this trial

Connor Prosty, MD

514-934-1934 connor.prosty@mail.mcgill.ca

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Clostridia Difficile Colitis trials