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Could a simple antibiotic taper stop c. diff relapse?

NCT ID NCT04138706

Completed Prevention Sponsor: McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether extending standard vancomycin treatment for C. diff infection with a 2-week taper (lowering the dose gradually) reduces the chance of the infection returning. 263 adults who had a first episode or first recurrence of C. diff were randomly assigned to receive either a vancomycin taper or a placebo after the initial 14-day treatment. The goal was to see if the taper lowers recurrence rates within 90 days.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
vancomycin
What this could lead to
If it works, this simple, low-cost approach could help prevent C. diff from coming back after initial treatment.
What could go wrong
This is a completed phase 3 trial, but results are not yet published. The taper may not reduce recurrence significantly, and some patients may still relapse.

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.

Clostridium difficile colitis Clostridium infectious disease

As listed by the trial registrant

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

CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTION

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke

    Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1H 5N4, Canada

  • Health Sciences Centre - Eastern Health

    St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3V6, Canada

  • Jewish General Hospital

    Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1E2, Canada

  • Kingston Health Sciences Centre

    Kingston, Ontario, K7L 2V7, Canada

  • McGill University Health Centre (Royal Victoria Hospital)

    Montreal, Quebec, H4A3J1, Canada

  • Michael Garron Hospital

    Toronto, Ontario, M4C 3E7, Canada

  • St Joseph's Health Care

    Toronto, Ontario, M6R 1B5, Canada

  • St. Michael's Hospital

    Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1W8, Canada

  • Sunnybrook Health Science Centre

    Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada

  • The Ottawa Hospital

    Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4E9, Canada

  • University Health Network

    Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada

  • Vancouver General Hospital

    Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 1M9, Canada

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