New dissolving film shows promise for agitation in dementia
NCT ID NCT04251910
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tested a sublingual film containing dexmedetomidine (BXCL501) to quickly calm agitation in 100 older adults with dementia. Participants received either the drug or a placebo, and researchers measured changes in agitation scores and side effects. The goal was to find a safe, easy-to-use treatment for acute agitation episodes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Dexmedetomidine (given as a sublingual film)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a fast-acting, non-injectable option to calm agitation in people with dementia, improving their comfort and care.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with only 100 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The drug may cause side effects or not work better than placebo.
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 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
-
100 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Dec 2019
- Finished
-
Jan 2022
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
65 years and older
- Sex
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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: * Male and female patients 65 years and older. * Patients who have dementia and a history of acute agitation. * History of agitation that requires intervention or impairs social or daily activities * Patients who meet International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) diagnostic criterion for agitation. * Patients with a total score of ≥ 8 on the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale (PAS). * Patients who have a score of ≥ 2 on at least 1 of the 4 items on the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale (PAS). * Patients who read, understand and provide written informed consent, or who have a Legally Authorized Representative (LAR). * Patients who are in good general health. Exclusion Criteria: * For Part B: Patients with dementia associated with Parkinson's disease and/or Lewy Body Disease, if etiology of dementia is known. * Patients with agitation caused by acute intoxication. * Patients treated within 4 hours prior to study drug administration with benzodiazepines, other sedatives, hypnotics or oral or short-acting intramuscular antipsychotics must be excluded. * Treatment with alpha-1 noradrenergic blockers, alpha adrenergic antagonists within 8 hours prior to dosing. * No new chronic medications initiated in the past 14 days prior to screening excluding over-the-counter products taken sporadically. * Patients at significant risk of harm to themselves or others * Patients considered medically unstable or in recovery * Patients with history of clinically significant syncope or syncopal attacks, orthostatic hypotension within the past 2 years, current evidence of hypovolemia, orthostatic hypotension. * Cohort 3 only: Patients who are taking nitrates or beta blockers shall be excluded. Any other anti-hypertensives should be maintained in the course of the study. * Patients who have received an investigational drug within 30 days prior to the current agitation episode must be excluded. * Patients experiencing clinically significant pain, per Investigator. * Cohort 3 only: Patients who are a high fall risk assessed via the Johns Hopkins Fall Risk Assessment (total score \>13) or during the 1-week safety observation period * Pregnancy
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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
-
BioXcel Clinical Research Site
Homestead, Florida, 33032, United States
-
BioXcel Clinical Research Site
Miami Lakes, Florida, 33016, United States
-
BioXcel Clinical Research Site
Springfield, Massachusetts, 01103, United States
-
BioXcel Clinical Research Site
Caro, Michigan, 48723, United States
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BioXcel Clinical Research Site
Toms River, New Jersey, 08755, United States
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