Could a common antidepressant tame severe asthma?

NCT ID NCT06216535

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether escitalopram, an FDA-approved antidepressant, can reduce severe asthma flare-ups in people with moderate to severe asthma who have had at least three attacks in the past year. About 105 participants will receive either escitalopram or a placebo pill for several months. The main goal is to see if the drug lowers the number of attacks needing steroids or hospital visits.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Escitalopram (an antidepressant pill)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new way to prevent severe asthma attacks using a common, low-cost antidepressant.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial (105 people) testing a drug not originally designed for asthma. It may not reduce exacerbations, and side effects like nausea or drowsiness are possible.

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

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

asthma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ASTHMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

UT Southwestern, 1440 Empire Central, Ste. LD4.100
RECRUITING

Dallas, Texas, 75247, United States

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