Effect of Ketoconazole on Breathlessness

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2012-02-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Beta-endorphins, which are naturally occurring narcotic substances, have been shown to alter the perception of breathlessness. Oral ketoconazole, an antifungal antibiotic, increases blood levels of beta-endorphins. The study hypothesis is that oral ketoconazole will reduce ratings of breathlessness induced by resistive breathing loads.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
• Treatments: Ketoconazole

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• 50 years of age or older;

• diagnosis of COPD;

• current or former smoker of at least 10 pack-years;

• post-bronchodilator FEV1 greater than or equal to 30% predicted and less than or equal to 80% predicted; post-bronchodilator ratio < 70%

Exclusion Criteria:

• any concomitant disease that might interfere with study procedures;

• use of a drug that may cause a possible drug interaction with ketoconazole