This is a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter, Parallel-group Study of the Efficacy and Safety of 2 Weight-based Treatment Groups of Plecanatide Versus Placebo in Children and Adolescent Participants 6 to Less Than 18 Years of Age With FC
plecanatide: Plecanatide is administered orally once daily for 8 weeks. Participants receive weight-based dosing corresponding to assigned treatment arm (low-dose or high-dose) to achieve target exposure ranges. Tablets may be taken with or without food and may be swallowed whole or administered in an alternative form if necessary, as specified in the protocol.
Placebo: Placebo tablets matching plecanatide in appearance are administered orally once daily for 8 weeks. Placebo is used to maintain blinding and is administered under the same conditions as active study drug.
Study summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if plecanatide can treat functional constipation in children and adolescents aged 6 to less than 18 years. It will also learn about the safety and pharmacokinetics of plecanatide in this population. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does plecanatide increase the number of spontaneous bowel movements compared to placebo after 8 weeks of treatment?
* What medical problems do participants experience when taking plecanatide? Researchers will compare low-dose plecanatide and high-dose plecanatide to placebo to see if plecanatide improves bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, and constipation-related symptoms.
Participants will:
* Complete a screening period with daily electronic diary entries to record bowel movements, symptoms, and rescue medication use
* Take plecanatide or placebo by mouth once daily for 8 weeks
* Continue daily electronic diary entries throughout the study
* Attend clinic visits for physical exams, laboratory tests, and assessments of symptoms and safety
* Provide blood samples for pharmacokinetic and safety evaluations
* Complete questionnaires about constipation symptoms and quality of life
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
6 Years
Max age
17 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion Criteria:• Male or female children and adolescents aged 6 to \<18 years at time of consent.
* Diagnosis of functional constipation (FC) based on Rome IV criteria for children/adolescents.
* Participant and/or legally authorized representative able to provide informed consent/assent.
* Participant/caregiver willing and able to comply with study procedures, including electronic diary (eDiary).
* Completion of ≥5 out of 7 daily diary entries during each of the 2 baseline weeks.
* Stable diet for at least 14 days prior to screening.
* Females of childbearing potential must use highly effective contraception and have negative pregnancy tests.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Weight \<15 kg at screening/randomization.
* History of anorectal malformations, neurological deficits, or anatomical abnormalities affecting bowel function.
* Use of prohibited medications within 15 days prior to randomization (e.g., anticholinergics, 5-HT agents, opioids, other laxatives).
* Use of any laxatives other than study-provided Dulcolax®.
* Pregnant or breastfeeding participants.
* Active eating disorder within the past 6 months.
* Clinically significant medical conditions (hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine, infectious) that may interfere with study.
* Known hypersensitivity to plecanatide.
* History of drug or alcohol abuse within 12 months.
* Participation in another clinical trial within 30 days.
* Non-compliance with eDiary requirements (\<5/7 entries per week).
* Use of rescue medication more than 2 days per week during baseline.
* ≥3 spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per week during baseline.
Primary outcome measure(s)
Change From Baseline in Weekly Spontaneous Bowel Movement (SBM) Frequency at Week 8 — Baseline to week 8 Spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) are defined as bowel movements that occur without the use of rescue medication within the preceding 24 hours. Weekly SBM frequency will be calculated based on daily electronic diary entries. The endpoint is the change from baseline in the number of SBMs per week at Week 8.
Trial sites (1)
Facility
City
Region
Status
AppleMedical Research Group, Inc
Miami
Florida
More Bausch Health Americas, Inc. trials in the USA
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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