Could a simple antibiotic taper stop c. diff relapse?
NCT ID NCT04138706
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.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1H 5N4, Canada
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Health Sciences Centre - Eastern Health
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3V6, Canada
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Jewish General Hospital
Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1E2, Canada
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Kingston Health Sciences Centre
Kingston, Ontario, K7L 2V7, Canada
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McGill University Health Centre (Royal Victoria Hospital)
Montreal, Quebec, H4A3J1, Canada
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Michael Garron Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, M4C 3E7, Canada
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St Joseph's Health Care
Toronto, Ontario, M6R 1B5, Canada
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St. Michael's Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1W8, Canada
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Sunnybrook Health Science Centre
Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada
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The Ottawa Hospital
Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4E9, Canada
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University Health Network
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
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Vancouver General Hospital
Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 1M9, Canada