A clinical study (sometimes called a clinical research study, trial, or protocol) is a way to determine if new medications are safe and effective. Medications being researched for safety and effectiveness are known as investigational drugs or study drugs.
Types of Clinical Studies
There are four types of clinical studies:
Phase I studies test a new investigational drug on humans for the first time, using a small number of volunteers to study best dosage and potential side effects.
Phase II studies test an investigational drug with a larger number of volunteers to learn more about side effects, how the body uses the drug, and how the drug helps the condition.
Phase III and IV studies use larger numbers of volunteers and may compare the investigational drug with a commonly used drug or a placebo (an inactive substance).
Click Here to view some frequently asked questions.
Follow the link to view a segment from Good Morning Texas with Dr. Roy Fleischmann,
Medical Director of MCRC, on the topic of clinical research. Video: What is Clinical Research?
