Safety and Efficacy of Lyophilized Faecal Microbiota Transplantation Via Capsules in Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Recruiting now · Phase 1/Phase 2 · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
In brief
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if oral capsules containing lyophilized fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can safely and effectively treat refractory irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults aged 18-65 years. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does treatment with lyophilized FMT capsules reduce IBS symptom severity compared with placebo? Does treatment with lyophilized FMT capsules improve quality of life, anxiety, and depression in patients with IBS? Are there differences in the frequency of adverse events between participants receiving FMT capsules and those receiving placebo? Researchers will compare lyophilized FMT capsules to placebo capsules to see if FMT reduces IBS symptoms and improves quality of life and mental health. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to receive either lyophilized FMT capsules or placebo capsules for three consecutive days. Take the capsules under supervision after receiving a proton pump inhibitor before the first dose. Complete questionnaires assessing symptom severity, quality of life, anxiety, and depression at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment. Attend follow-up visits at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment and receive a telephone follow-up call 10 days after capsule ingestion. Report any adverse events and have vital signs and medical information monitored during follow-up. This study will help determine whether oral lyophilized FMT capsules are a safe and effective treatment option for adults with refractory IBS.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07481422
- Run by
- University of Rijeka
- People needed
- 70
- Starts
- 2026-03-15
- Expected to finish
- 2027-12-15
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-03-18
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- 18-65 years of age
- disease activity defined by an IBS-Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS) of more than 175
- symptoms refractory to conservative medical therapy (hyoscine salts, osmotic laxatives such as polyethylene glycol, loperamide, rifaximin, tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs or other antidepressants, peppermint oil)
- negative evaluation for coeliac disease
- signed informed consent
You may not qualify if…
- pregnant or breastfeeding women
- women of childbearing potential who are unwilling to use an acceptable method of birth control
- severely immunocompromised or immunosuppressed (organ transplant recipients, those with neutropenia with an absolute neutrophil count of <500 cells per mm3, those receiving current treatment with antineoplastic drugs, HIV positive)
- gastrointestinal symptoms explained by an alternative diagnosis (underlying IBD, infectious enteritis)
- severe allergy to capsule components
- therapy with new antidepressants or had a change in antidepressant dose within previous 3 months
- serious medical comorbidities (including neurological or psychiatric comorbidities)
- treatment with antibiotics 3 months before enrolment
- previous history of FMT at any time in the past
- unwillingness to ingest the capsules
Where it is running
- Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka — Rijeka, Croatia (enrolling)
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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