Mild electric current may deliver bowel medication through skin, no needles needed
NCT ID NCT02370862
First seen Jul 06, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-phase study tests whether a combination of two medications (neostigmine and glycopyrrolate) can be delivered through the skin using a mild electric current to help people with spinal cord injury have a bowel movement. Participants first receive the medication intravenously to see how they respond, then test different doses via a skin patch. The goal is to find a needle-free way to speed up bowel care, which often takes over an hour for many with spinal cord injury.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- neostigmine and glycopyrrolate delivered through the skin via iontophoresis
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this needle-free method could allow people with spinal cord injury to manage bowel care at home more quickly and easily.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small pilot study. The skin-delivery method may not work as well as the intravenous version, and side effects like changes in heart rate or breathing 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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
-
James J. Peters VA Medical Center
The Bronx, New York, 10468, United States
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