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Category: Clinical research

Explore our medication guides and pharmacology articles within this category.

Clinical Trials: What is it called when a drug is being tested?

4 min read
The median cost of bringing a new drug to market can be around $985 million, with an average cost of $1.3 billion [1.4.3]. The lengthy and expensive process that answers the question, **what is it called when a drug is being tested,** is known as a **clinical trial** [1.2.2].

What do you call a drug study?: Unpacking Pharmacology and Clinical Trials

4 min read
Fewer than 12% of drugs entering clinical trials ever receive FDA approval, illustrating the rigorous process involved. If you've ever wondered what do you call a drug study, the answer depends on the context and phase of the drug's journey, ranging from foundational pharmacology research to controlled clinical trials involving human participants.

What do you mean by washout period? A Guide to the Pharmacological Process in Clinical Research

4 min read
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), updating guidelines around washout periods is a critical step in modernizing clinical trials. So, what do you mean by washout period? It is a controlled, temporary discontinuation of a medication in order to clear its effects from the body before a new treatment is introduced, primarily within a research setting.

What is the difference between adverse effects and idiosyncratic reactions?

4 min read
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, adverse drug reactions cause over 106,000 deaths annually, highlighting the critical importance of understanding and differentiating drug-related harm. Answering the question, 'What is the difference between adverse effects and idiosyncratic reactions?' requires a look into the predictable and unpredictable ways a body can respond to medication.

Is saracatinib available in the USA? A look at its investigational status

5 min read
As of September 2025, the investigational drug saracatinib has not received marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not commercially available in the USA. The drug, originally developed for cancer, is now primarily being studied for other conditions, with access limited to participants in clinical trials or expanded access programs.

What is the new drug for borderline personality disorder?: Investigational Treatments and Recent Updates

4 min read
As of 2025, there is no single medication specifically approved by the FDA for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Despite this, research is actively exploring new pharmacological options and advancements have been made regarding adjunctive symptom management. This article will address the query: What is the new drug for borderline personality disorder? and provide the latest information on investigational treatments.

What is venglustat? An Oral Investigational Substrate Reduction Therapy

4 min read
Initially developed by Genzyme and later acquired by Sanofi, venglustat is an investigational oral medication functioning as a substrate reduction therapy. This small-molecule compound has been explored for treating several rare lysosomal storage disorders, including Fabry and Gaucher disease, by targeting the synthesis of harmful glycosphingolipids.

What is the sugar pill thing? Unpacking Placebos in Medicine

4 min read
The placebo effect, often associated with a 'sugar pill,' can trigger measurable physiological changes in patients. But **what is the sugar pill thing**, and how is it used in modern medicine? In reality, 'sugar pills' are inert substances used in specific medical contexts, from research to routine medication packaging.

What is a placebo?: Unpacking the Science of Mind-Body Medicine

4 min read
According to one review, placebo treatments have produced improvement in symptoms for approximately 35% of patients in certain studies. But **what is a placebo** exactly? A placebo is an inactive substance or procedure that is designed to resemble an actual treatment but has no inherent therapeutic effect on its own.