50 Participants Needed

BXCL501 for Schizophrenia Agitation

(DEX Trial)

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Overseen ByMohini Ranganathan, MD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Phase 2
Sponsor: Yale University
Prior Safety DataThis treatment has passed at least one previous human trial
Approved in 3 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Agitation is characterized by excessive motor or verbal activity, irritability, uncooperativeness, threatening gestures, and, in some cases, aggressive or violent behavior. While agitation may have various underlying causes, patients with schizophrenia are especially vulnerable to acute episodes of agitation, especially during exacerbation of disease, and clinicians do not always diagnose these episodes early enough. Agitation associated with psychosis is a frequent reason for emergency department visits, and unless it is recognized early and managed effectively, it can rapidly escalate to potentially dangerous behaviors, including physical violence. Educating psychiatric professionals about the timely and accurate diagnosis of agitation among patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and developing a well-tolerated easily administered medication will contribute to the prompt and effective management of this condition and could help reduce the risk of violent behavior and other undesirable outcomes. This study is designed to identify the ideal dose range and tolerability of sublingual Dexmedetomidine in patients with schizophrenia.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug BXCL501 for treating agitation in schizophrenia?

Research shows that sublingual dexmedetomidine, the active ingredient in BXCL501, is effective in reducing agitation in people with schizophrenia. In clinical trials, it significantly improved agitation symptoms without serious side effects, making it a safe and effective option.12345

Is BXCL501 (sublingual dexmedetomidine) safe for treating agitation in schizophrenia?

Sublingual dexmedetomidine has been shown to be safe in clinical trials for treating acute agitation in adults with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, with the most common side effect being mild drowsiness.13456

How is the drug BXCL501 different from other treatments for schizophrenia agitation?

BXCL501, a sublingual film of dexmedetomidine, is unique because it is a non-invasive treatment that acts as a selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, offering a rapid and effective option for managing acute agitation in schizophrenia without the need for injections and with minimal side effects.12345

Research Team

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Mohini Ranganathan, MD

Principal Investigator

Yale University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-65 with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, who can give informed consent. It's not for those with substance dependence, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or individuals with significant medical conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective disorder.
Ability to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

I am not pregnant or breastfeeding.
I have a serious health condition besides my cancer.
Current substance dependence

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week
1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive a sublingual formulation of BXCL501 (dexmedetomidine) or placebo

1 day
Continuous monitoring for approximately 11 hours

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 week
1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Dexmedetomidine Hydrochloride
Trial Overview The study tests sublingual Dexmedetomidine Hydrochloride to manage agitation in schizophrenia patients. A placebo group is included for comparison. The goal is to find the best dose range and assess how well patients tolerate it.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: Order 1Active Control1 Intervention
Subjects will be given a sublingual formulation of BXCL501 (dexmedetomidine)
Group II: Order 2Placebo Group1 Intervention
Subjects will be given a sublingual film of placebo.

Dexmedetomidine Hydrochloride is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

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Approved in United States as Precedex for:
  • Sedation for mechanically ventilated patients
  • Procedural sedation
  • Acute agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
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Approved in European Union as Dexdor for:
  • Sedation for mechanically ventilated patients
  • Procedural sedation
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Approved in Canada as Dexmedetomidine Hydrochloride for:
  • Sedation for mechanically ventilated patients
  • Procedural sedation

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Yale University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,963
Recruited
3,046,000+

Findings from Research

Sublingual dexmedetomidine has a favorable efficacy profile for treating agitation in adults with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, with a number needed to treat of 3 for significant response at 2 hours post-dose in both conditions.
The treatment's safety profile is also acceptable, as the number needed to harm for adverse events is generally greater than 10, except for somnolence, which has a number needed to harm of 7, indicating that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Sublingual Dexmedetomidine for Agitation Associated with Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder: A Post Hoc Analysis of Number Needed to Treat, Number Needed to Harm, and Likelihood to be Helped or Harmed.Citrome, L., Risinger, R., Rajachandran, L., et al.[2023]
Sublingual dexmedetomidine is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for agitation in adults with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with effects starting as quickly as 20 minutes after administration.
While it shows promise, potential side effects include somnolence and hypotension, and further research is needed to assess its use in patients taking other psychiatric medications.
Sublingual dexmedetomidine: repurposing an anesthetic as an anti-agitation agent.Faden, J., Musselman, M., Citrome, L.[2023]
In a phase 3 study involving 380 adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, sublingual dexmedetomidine (180 ΞΌg and 120 ΞΌg) significantly reduced symptoms of acute agitation compared to placebo, as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale-Excited Component (PEC) scores at 2 hours postdose.
The most common side effects of dexmedetomidine included somnolence, dizziness, and hypotension, indicating that while it is effective, monitoring for these adverse events is important during treatment.
Sublingual Dexmedetomidine for the Treatment of Acute Agitation in Adults With Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.Citrome, L., Preskorn, SH., Lauriello, J., et al.[2022]

References

Sublingual Dexmedetomidine for Agitation Associated with Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder: A Post Hoc Analysis of Number Needed to Treat, Number Needed to Harm, and Likelihood to be Helped or Harmed. [2023]
Sublingual dexmedetomidine: repurposing an anesthetic as an anti-agitation agent. [2023]
Sublingual Dexmedetomidine for the Treatment of Acute Agitation in Adults With Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. [2022]
The treatment of acute agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder: investigational drugs in early stages of their clinical development, and their clinical context and potential place in therapy. [2020]
Sublingual Dexmedetomidine for the Treatment of Agitation in Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. [2023]
Are dexmedetomidine and olanzapine suitable to control delirium in critically ill elderly patients? A retrospective cohort study. [2021]