Bladder drug repurposed to fight ALS in new trial

NCT ID NCT06249867

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Oliver Blanchard Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether darifenacin, a drug currently used for overactive bladder, can help people with ALS. The study will enroll 30 adults aged 18-85 with confirmed ALS. Participants will take either darifenacin or a placebo daily for 24 weeks. The goal is to see if the drug is safe and can improve nerve-muscle connections, potentially slowing the disease and improving quality of life.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Darifenacin (a drug used for overactive bladder, repurposed here)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a treatment that slows ALS progression and improves muscle function and quality of life.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 30 participants. The drug may not show benefit or could cause side effects. Results may not apply to all ALS patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

As listed by the trial registrant

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

AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Montreal Neurological Institute
RECRUITING

Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, Canada
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
RECRUITING

Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4E9, Canada

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.