Antibiotic boosts therapy for social anxiety – timing matters

NCT ID NCT02066792

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Jasper A. Smits Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether D-cycloserine, an antibiotic that helps the brain unlearn fear, can improve cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for social anxiety. 152 adults with social anxiety took either D-cycloserine or a placebo before or after their therapy sessions. Researchers wanted to see if the drug, especially when taken after a successful session, could reduce anxiety symptoms more than therapy alone.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: D-cycloserine (an antibiotic also used to enhance fear extinction learning)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could make cognitive-behavioral therapy more effective for people with social anxiety, leading to faster or longer-lasting symptom relief.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase trial with a small sample, so results may not be conclusive. The effect of D-cycloserine may depend on timing and therapy success, and it may not work for everyone.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

social phobia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Rush University Medical Center

Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States
University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas, 78712, United States

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