Can a new Slow-Release ibuprofen tame knee arthritis pain for 12 hours?
NCT ID NCT05318521
First seen Jul 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 28, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 3 trial tests whether an 800 mg modified-release ibuprofen tablet can reduce chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis better than a placebo. About 500 adults with knee osteoarthritis will take either the long-acting ibuprofen or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in pain, stiffness, and physical function using standard questionnaires.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a new long-acting ibuprofen tablet (800 mg modified-release)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer people with knee osteoarthritis a longer-lasting pain reliever that requires fewer daily doses.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial comparing the drug to a placebo, so it is not yet proven to work. Ibuprofen can cause stomach, kidney, or heart side effects, especially with long-term use.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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About 500 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2021
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male and female patients ≥18 years of age at the screening visit. 2. Patients diagnosed with symptomatic OA of the knee based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical criteria and have an American Rheumatology Association (ARA) functional class rating of I, II, or III (1), for ≥ 3 months prior to date of screening; with recent (≤ 6 months) radiographic evidence of tibiofemoral OA: ≥ Grade 2 on the Kellgren \& Lawrence scale. (In cases where both knees are affected, the most painful knee joint is selected as the target knee for study evaluation). 3. Patients had been prescribed NSAIDs or acetaminophen to treat their OA-related pain for at least 3 months prior to the screening visit. 4. Following discontinuation of analgesic medication (a washout period of at least 5 times the half-life (prior to Day -7), plus a subsequent additional 7 days prior to Baseline visit (Day -7 to Day-1), patients must have a reported pain score of at least 40 mm for WOMAC Pain intensity question: 'walking on a flat surface' at Baseline Visit. 5. Subjects are willing to comply with protocol-stated requirements, instructions and restrictions, followed by understanding and signing the written informed consent form or legal representative if he/she is under the statutory age of consent as per the local authority. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with a history of gastroduodenal perforations and/or obstructions; gastric and/or duodenal surgery; recent (≤ 6 months) active gastrointestinal (GI) ulceration; inflammatory bowel disease; GI bleeding in the past year. 2. Patients with a history of congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, renal artery stenosis or recent (within 1 year) myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, or transient ischemic attack and/or with uncontrolled hypertension. 3. Patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment (alanine aminotransferase \[ALT\] or aspartate transaminase \[AST\] concentrations \> 2.5 times the upper limit of normal). 4. Patients with a medical condition (e.g., a cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, hematologic, gastrointestinal, endocrine \[adrenal hyperplasia\], immunologic, dermatologic, neurologic, oncologic, or psychiatric) or a significant laboratory abnormality that, in the Investigator's opinion, would jeopardize the safety of the patient or is likely to confound the study measurements. 5. Patients receiving ongoing opioid therapy for their OA-related pain; or requiring ongoing use of analgesic therapy for other indications, anticoagulants, psychotherapeutic agents, aspirin at daily doses greater than 325 mg, statin-class hypolipidemic agents at doses that have not been stabilized, or other treatments known to interfere with pain perception. (Note: 'stabilized' is defined as being used for at least 3 months). 6. Patients who have received intra-articular injection of corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma in the target knee within 6 months prior to the screening visit (within 1 year for long-acting formulations); or have received opioid medication within 14 days prior to the screening visit. 7. Patients who are unable to be prescribed NSAIDs or are known or suspected to have hypersensitivity to study medication or their excipients. 8. Patients who have participated in investigational drug trials and took any investigational therapy within 90 days or a time of 5 half-lives prior to the study dosing. 9. Patients currently pregnant, lactating, or planning to pregnant during the trial period. All male patients and female patients with child-bearing potential (between puberty and 2 years after menopause) should use at least any one of the appropriate contraception methods mentioned below, during dosing and for at least 4 weeks after stopping study treatment. * Total abstinence (when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject). Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post-ovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception. * Female sterilization (have had surgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy), total hysterectomy, or tubal ligation at least 6 weeks before taking study treatment. In case of oophorectomy alone, only when the reproductive status of the woman has been confirmed by follow up hormone level assessment. * Male sterilization (at least 6 months prior to screening). For female subjects on the study, the vasectomized male partner should be the sole partner for that subject. * Combination of any two of the following listed methods: (a+b or a+c, or b+c): 1. Use of oral, injected or implanted hormonal methods of contraception or other forms of hormonal contraception that have comparable efficacy (failure rate \<1%), for example hormone vaginal ring or transdermal hormone contraception. 2. Placement of an intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS). 3. Barrier methods of contraception: Condom or Occlusive cap (diaphragm or cervical/vault caps) with spermicidal foam/gel/film/cream/vaginal suppository. 10. Subjects with underlying medical, mental, psychological, or other inappropriate conditions that would impair treatment compliance, or in the opinion of the Investigator would not permit to participate in the study.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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China Medical University Hospital
Taichung, 40447, Taiwan
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Coastal Carolina Research Center
North Charleston, South Carolina, 29405, United States
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Core Healthcare
Cerritos, California, 90703, United States
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Cvillemedresearch
Charlottesville, Virginia, 22911, United States
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National Institute of Clinical Research
Garden Grove, California, 92844, United States
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Palm Beach Research Center
West Palm Beach, Florida, 33409, United States
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Paragon Rx Clinical, Inc.
Santa Ana, California, 92703, United States
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Taipei Medical University Hospital
Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
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Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital
New Taipei City, 23561, Taiwan
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Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital
Taipei, 11696, Taiwan
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Well Pharma Medical Research
Miami, Florida, 33173, United States
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