Brain-Targeting drug desipramine tested for IBS pain relief

NCT ID NCT00880594

Terminated Symptom relief Sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at whether desipramine, a medication that affects brain regions involved in pain processing, could help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Researchers planned to use brain scans to see how the drug changes pain signals in the brain. Only 18 people were enrolled, and the study was stopped early, so the findings are very limited.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Desipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a treatment that reduces abdominal pain in IBS by altering how the brain processes pain signals.
What could go wrong: This was a very small, early study that was terminated before completion, so results are limited and may not apply to the broader IBS population.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

irritable bowel syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

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

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Contacts and locations

Locations

Washington University School of Medicine

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

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