Clinical Trials: What You Need to Know
Knowing all you can about clinical trials can help you feel better when deciding whether or not to take part in one. This guide addresses many basic questions and concerns about clinical trials so that you will be better prepared to discuss this option with your doctor and your family. It can help you decide which questions you need to ask and what the answers may mean for you. Click on the topics below to get started.
- Clinical Trials: What You Need to Know
- Why do we need clinical trials?
- What happens before clinical trials?
- Some facts about clinical trials: Important points to keep in mind
- What are the phases of clinical trials?
- Phase 0 clinical trials: Exploring if and how a new drug may work
- Phase I clinical trials: Is the treatment safe?
- Phase II clinical trials: Does the treatment work?
- Phase III clinical trials: Is it better than what’s already available?
- Submission for FDA approval: New drug application (NDA)
- Phase IV clinical trials: What else do we need to know?
- Who sponsors and runs clinical trials?
- Should I think about taking part in a clinical trial?
- Answers to some common questions about clinical trials
- Other questions you should ask your research team
- What protects the study participants?
- What’s out there? Finding clinical trials
- How do I figure out which study is for me?
- What about cost? Will my insurance cover it?
- What would it be like to take part in a clinical trial?
- What if I’m not eligible for a clinical trial?
- Summing it all up
- References