Nocebo effects with antidepressant clinical drug trial placebos

Reeves, Roy R.; Ladner, Mark E.; Hart, Roy H.; Burke, Randy S.

doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2007.01.010

« Previous Next »General Hospital Psychiatry
Volume 29, Issue 3 , Pages 275-277, May 2007

Nocebo effects with antidepressant clinical drug trial placebos

Roy R. Reeves, D.O., Ph.D.
- G.V. (Sonny) VA Medical Center, Mental Health Service (11M), 1500 E. Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- Corresponding author. VA Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA. Tel.: +1 601 368 4159; fax: +1 601 364 1395.
Mark E. Ladner, M.D.
- G.V. (Sonny) VA Medical Center, Mental Health Service (11M), 1500 E. Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
Roy H. Hart, M.D.
- G.V. (Sonny) VA Medical Center, Mental Health Service (11M), 1500 E. Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
Randy S. Burke, Ph.D.
- G.V. (Sonny) VA Medical Center, Mental Health Service (11M), 1500 E. Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA

Received 9 November 2006; accepted 17 January 2007.

Abstract

We describe an individual who experienced unusual negative effects while taking a placebo during a clinical drug trial. A 26-year-old male took 29 inert capsules, believing he was overdosing on an antidepressant. Subsequently, he experienced hypotension requiring intravenous fluids to maintain an adequate blood pressure until the true nature of the capsules was revealed. The adverse symptoms then rapidly abated. The nocebo effect (undesirable symptoms following administration of an inert substance that the patient believes to be an active drug) may have significant negative impacts on certain patients. Further research is warranted to better understand this phenomenon.

Keywords: Nocebo, Placebo, Adverse effects