Can an antidepressant soothe both mind and gut?

NCT ID NCT06309472

NEW Completed Disease control Sponsor: King's College London Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 19, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026

Summary

This trial explores whether it is possible to run a larger study of mirtazapine, an antidepressant, in people who have both major depression and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). About 76 adults with IBD and depression will be randomly assigned to take either mirtazapine or a placebo tablet every night for 12 weeks. The study is 'blinded', so neither participants nor researchers know who gets which treatment. The main goal is to see if people will join, stay in, and complete the trial, and whether the treatment is acceptable. If successful, this could pave the way for a bigger study to see if mirtazapine helps both depression and IBD symptoms.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Mirtazapine (an antidepressant tablet, also known as Remeron)
What this could lead to: If this trial shows it is feasible, it could lead to a larger study testing whether mirtazapine can ease depression in people with IBD, potentially improving both mental and gut health.
What could go wrong: This is a small feasibility study, not a proof of effectiveness. It may not show clear benefits, and mirtazapine can have side effects like drowsiness and weight gain.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Crohn disease Depression inflammatory bowel disease major depressive disorder ulcerative colitis

As listed by the trial registrant

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

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

London, United Kingdom
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

London, United Kingdom
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

London, United Kingdom
St Mark's Hospital

London, United Kingdom

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