Could adding calcium to ORS stop diarrhea faster?
NCT ID NCT05814042
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether an oral rehydration solution (ORS) with added calcium works better than standard ORS for adults with severe watery diarrhea, including cholera. Researchers measured stool output, diarrhea duration, and other symptoms in 396 adults. The goal is to find a simple, affordable way to reduce the severity of diarrhea, which remains a major cause of death worldwide.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Oral rehydration solution with added calcium
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could lead to a better, low-cost treatment for severe diarrhea, potentially saving more lives in areas with limited resources.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed Phase 2/3 trial, but results may not apply to children or other populations. Adding calcium might not improve outcomes over standard ORS.
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
-
Phase 2/3
Runs two stages together: whether the treatment works, then large-scale confirmation.
- Participants
-
396 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Aug 2023
- Finished
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Dec 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 60 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: * Adult male and female patients, age between 18 and 60 years, history of acute watery diarrhea (defined as the passage of ≥3 loose or watery stools in the past 24 hours) for less than 24 h before admission, either signs of severe dehydration and stool positive for Vibrio cholerae, and successful rehydration with intravenous fluids within the first 6 h after admission (cholera group), or signs of some dehydration and stool negative for V. cholera (non-cholera group) , and successful rehydration with intravenous or oral fluids within the first 6 h Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy as determined by history of last menstrual period, bloody diarrhea, signs of systemic infection that needed intravenous antibiotics, or inability to rehydrate with intravenous fluid therapy in the first 6 h after admission.
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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
-
ICDDR,B Dhaka Hospital
Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
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