Could a depression drug tame rheumatoid arthritis?
NCT ID NCT07497282
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether adding venlafaxine, a common antidepressant, to standard rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment can better control disease activity. About 70 adults with moderate to severe RA who are already on stable medication will receive either venlafaxine or a placebo for several months. Researchers will measure changes in joint swelling, pain, and inflammation levels to see if the drug offers additional benefit.
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
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 70 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Mar 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients with definite RA according to ACR/ EULAR 2010 criteria. * Patients on stable DMARDs+/- steroid regimen for at least 6 months. * Patients with moderate to high disease activity (DAS28 ≥ 3.2) despite treatment Exclusion Criteria: * Patients receiving biologics or targeted DMARDs * Known hypersensitivity to venlafaxine or any of its components. * Concurrent Use of MAOIs * Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. * Uncontrolled hypertension * Unstable Heart Conditions * Patients receiving any other anti-depressant * Psychiatrically unstable patients as indicated by a history of psychosis or mania, current suicidal ideation, current substance abuse or dependence. * Renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance \<60 mL/min) * Hepatic dysfunction (ALT and AST more than 3 times upper normal limits) * Patients with active major bleeding or high risk of bleeding
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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