River blindness drug trial aims to find right dose for kids
NCT ID NCT03962062
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested a single dose of moxidectin in 36 children aged 4 to 17 who have or are at risk of onchocerciasis (river blindness). The goal was to find a dose for children 4-11 years that works like the standard 8 mg dose used in older kids and adults. Researchers measured drug levels in the blood and checked for side effects to ensure safety.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- moxidectin (a tablet taken by mouth)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help determine a safe and effective dose of moxidectin for children aged 4-11 with onchocerciasis, potentially improving treatment access for younger patients.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study with only 36 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The trial focuses on drug levels and safety, not on curing the disease, and side effects are possible.
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
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
36 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Mar 2021
- Finished
-
Sep 2022
- 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
-
4 to 17 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: 1. Aged 4 to 17 years, inclusive: 1. Cohort I: 12 to 17 years; 2. Cohort II: 8 to 11 years; 3. Cohort III: 4 to 7 years; 2. Live in a region designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as endemic for O. volvulus infection (World Health Organization, 2019). Specifically, participants will be recruited from the Kpassa sub-district of the Nkwanta North district.The specific communities will include Wii, Jagri-Do, and Azua where mass drug administration with ivermectin for onchocerciasis commenced in October 2017; 3. Willing and able to remain at the study clinic from Screening up to Day 7; 4. Provision of parental or guardian written informed consent and assent / lack of expression of 'deliberate objection' (as appropriate for age); 5. Females of childbearing potential must commit to using a reliable method of contraception as per local family planning guidelines from Baseline (pre-treatment on Day 0) until approximately 6 months after treatment with study drug. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of serious medical or psychiatric condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, would put the subject at increased risk by participating in the study or jeopardize study outcomes; 2. Known or suspected concurrent clinically significant renal, cardiac, pulmonary, vascular, metabolic (thyroid disorders, adrenal disease), immunological disorders or malignancy, congenital heart disease, chronic lung disease; 3. Has received an investigational product within 28 days or 5 half-lives of Baseline, whichever is longer; 4. Has received ivermectin or any other anti-helminthic treatments within 28 days of Baseline; 5. Has received a vaccination within 7 days of Baseline; 6. Known or suspected hypersensitivity to macrocyclic lactones or excipients used in the formulation of moxidectin; 7. Poor venous access; 8. Unable to swallow tablets (flat oval, 8.0 millimeters (mm) x 4.5 mm x 3.0 mm); 9. Weight: 1. Cohort I (12 to 17 years): \< 30 kg; 2. Cohort II (8 to 11 years): \< 18 kg; 3. Cohort III (4 to 7 years): \< 12 kg; 10. Clinically relevant laboratory abnormalities at Screening, including: 1. Hemoglobin \< 9.5 grams per deciliter (g/dL); 2. Neutrophil (granulocyte) count \< 1.5 x 109/L; 3. Platelet count \< 110 x 109/L; 4. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \> 1.5 times the upper limit of normal range (ULN); 5. Total bilirubin \> 1.5 times ULN; 11. Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive; 12. Known or suspected malaria or other ongoing viral, bacterial, or plasmodium infection at Screening and/or Baseline; 13. Loa loa co-infection; 14. Unwilling, unlikely or unable to comply with all protocol specified assessments; 15. For females of child bearing potential, pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant; 16. Previous enrolment in this study; 17. Is a sibling of another child already enrolled in this study.
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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
-
University of Health and Allied Services School of Public Health
Hohoe, Volta Region, Ghana
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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