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Most clinics advertise for their studies in local
newspapers, employment papers, radio commercials and TV
commercials. Most clinics also post their studies on
their website. Some clinics have a 24 hour recorded
phone message.
Most clinics advertise on a weekly basis and update their
website as studies change. It is important to call and
sign up for a study as soon as you hear about it.
Note that
some clinics don't update their websites very often so it is best to
always call as you have to call to sign up anyhow.
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This is your first point of contact with the
company. The recruiter will ask you several questions about your
health and lifestyle. Be honest. If you lie here, chances
are that they will find out at the laboratory screening. Note
that the majority of these questions are only asked on your
first call. Once you are in the system, they will only
ask study specific questions.
Some of the
basic points which are considered:
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Your
Age
Every
study will be targeted towards a specific age group.
Example: 18 to 55 is common. May be you'll see 25
to 45 or 65 to 80 or even 6 to 18.
The main age cut-offs are:
45 for most studies
55 for many studies
65 for some studies
After 65, healthy
Phase I studies will be limited but they do
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Your
Drinking Habits
Most
studies require participants who do not consume alcohol in
excess. Many studies will have "cut-off
periods" of 24 to 72 hours before screening and check in.
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Your
Tobacco Habits
Most
studies require participants who do not use tobacco products
including chewing tobacco and cigarettes. Some studies
do allow lite users, but typically will ban the use of tobacco
products during the length of the study. Note that some
studies have "cut-off periods" of varying
length. Many clinics are now doing blood tests for
cotinine which is a byproduct of nicotine so it
is best to be honest about whether or not you
have smoked recently. Cut-off periods may
range from a few days to a year or more. |
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Your
Illicit Drug Habits
All
healthy volunteer studies require participants who do not use
illicit drugs including but not limited to: crack, marijuana,
cocaine, heroin and ecstasy. If you have put drugs
behind you, be aware that most drugs can be traced in your
system up to 90 days after cessation.
Many
Clinical Research Facilities are implementing "Zero Tolerance"
policies which allow them to bar you from participating in
future studies if any illicit drugs are found in your system
at any time during the study. This includes during the
screening process, during the study and after the study until
you have been "cleared" from the study. |
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Your Allergy History
It
is necessary for the clinic to know if you are allergic to any
drugs, foods or anything else. Having an allergy doesn't
necessarily exclude you from a study, but it is for your
safety and health that you report any allergies you may
have. Most studies have a study specific diet and cannot
be altered due to food allergies. As for drug allergies,
it is important that you don't do studies with
drugs that may cause an allergic reaction.
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Your
Recent Use Of Prescription And Or Over-The-Counter Drug Use
Many
studies require participants to not be taking prescription
drugs or OTC drugs. Most studies will have "cut-off
periods" of around 30 days. It is best to be honest
if you have taken anything during the "cut-off
period." Anything found in your system that cannot
be accounted for will most likely excluded you from the
study.
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Your
Recent And Past Medical History
Most
Clinical Research Facilities will ask information regarding
your recent medical history. This can include any
hospitalizations due to sickness or physical conditions,
surgeries, mental conditions or medical procedures.
Most surgeries will not disqualify you but it's
important for the clinic to know your history.
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Your Ethnicity
Some
studies require a certain ethnic population. |
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- Your Family History
Some studies will require
subjects with no family history of certain
conditions. |
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Your Sex
While
many studies require both males and females, some studies will
be gender specific i.e. males used for a male enhancement drug
and females used for a birth control drug. |
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Your Recent Blood Or Plasma Donations
Depending
on how often you donate blood or plasma, you may be asked to
wait a period of time before participating in a study.
You will not be allowed to donate blood or plasma during a
study and usually for a period of 30 days after you complete a
study.
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Your Recent Involvement In A Clinical Research Study
Many
volunteers find that they've enjoyed the experience of
participating in a study so much that they want to join
another study. Most studies have a "wash-out"
of at least 30 days. That means that once you've
completed your last dose in a study, you must wait at least 30
days before participating in another study. Some studies
will require a longer "wash-out" period.
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Your Body Mass Index (BMI)
Your
height and weight are used to determine your BMI. Many
studies recruit participants with a BMI between 18 to 30, but
this figure can vary widely. BMI is your body fat.
Click
here to use a BMI calculator.
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Your Ideal Body Weight
Many
studies require you to be within a certain percentage.
15% is common.
Click
here to use a Ideal Body Weight Calculator. A study
will use either the BMI or IBW but usually not
both.
Multiply
the ideal body weight by 15%. Then subtract your body
weight from the ideal body weight. As long as your
weight is equal to or less than 15% or what ever percentage
the clinic is looking for, then you should be okay. Note
that this is not a standard test and many clinics may use a
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- International Travel
Many studies will have
restrictions against people who have
traveled outside the US or country that the
study is being conducted in. This is due
to unknown health conditions in foreign
countries and especially if you have had any
vaccinations or immunizations.
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- Female Restrictions
Some studies will require
surgically sterile or post menopausal.
Also, females cannot be pregnant during a
clinical research and should not conceive a
child for a period of 3 months post study.
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Your Availability
You
must be available for all visits including staying at
overnight for one or more consecutive or non-consecutive
stays. You must be available for any and all out-patient
visits. Dates are predetermined and are not negotiable.
If you think you will not be able to make a visit, it is wise
not to apply for that study. Failure to be on time and
present for your visits can result in financial penalties.
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There
may be other factors, but these are the most common.
At this time, the recruiter will inform you about what kind
of drug study you would participate in. He/she will
explain the known side-effects of the drug. You will
be told how you will take the drug i.e. pill, IV, liquid etc. You will
usually be informed of any non-standard tests you will be
expected to do like stool samples, urine collection and 24 hour
heart monitoring.
If you
are what they are looking for, you will be invited to go to the facility
for a laboratory screening. Many clinics conduct their screenings
in the early morning between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Other clinics conduct screenings throughout the day.
You will be told of any restrictions you need to adhere to.
See next section for details.
If for any reason that you are unable to make it to your
screening on time, it is important for you to call the
clinic and cancel and or reschedule. Most clinics have
a strict policy for tardiness and no-shows. Many
clinics will ban you if you have a habitual problem with
being late or not showing up.
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