Diabetes and Clinical Trials

If you are diabetic, you may be interested inand you won't know it. This is really the only way
participating in a clinical trial. People participate in clinicalthat a new drug can be tested. However, because
trials for a variety of reasons. Clinical trials are heldyour health is at risk if you are taking the placebo,
after a drug is developed and after it meets approvalthe clinical trial only progresses for a certain period of
from the Food and Drug Administration for clinicaltime, at which time you will be able to resume taking
trial, but before it is released for public consumption.your standard medication.
You may be interested in a clinical trial for diabeticYou may not be eligible for all clinical trials related to
medication if you are not responding well to thediabetic medication. Each study has its own criteria
medications that are currently available. You may alsofor patients, and you will only be considered if you
be interested in helping to find better treatment or ameet those criteria. The cost of the treatment given
cure for diabetes. No matter what your reasons are,during the clinical trial is covered by the organization
there are constantly clinical trials going on.conducting the study. If you are chosen to
Clinical trials are reasonably safe. Participants areparticipate in a clinical trial, you have the option of
constantly monitored for any problems, and forleaving the trial at anytime you wish.
results, and there is a written protocol thatIt is vital that your regular doctor be informed that
researchers are to follow in administering the testyou are participating in a clinical trial, that he always
drug. Because the drug being tested is new,stay apprised of your results, and of course, it is
however, there are risks involved.important that you keep your regular visits with him,
The main drawback of clinical trials is that you mayeven during the clinical trial process.
be receiving a placebo, instead of the actual drug --