Breathlessness is a common symptom in patients diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. The BETTER-B study aims to investigate whether a commonly used antidepressant drug, called mirtazapine, may be effective in treating breathlessness.
This study is now closed for recruitment and this information is for reference only.
The BETTER-B Study is one of several clinical trials currently recruiting participants in the UK. You can search for all available trials using the European Pulmonary Fibrosis Federation (EU-IPFF) clinical trial finder, ClinicalTrials.gov, or by searching the ISRCTN Registry.
If you are interested in taking part in a clinical trial, you must speak to your clinical team.
What is the BETTER-B Study?
The Better-B study is a study assessing whether a drug called mirtazapine is effective in treating chronic breathlessness. Patients will either take mirtazapine or a placebo tablet (a tablet with no active ingredients) during the study. The Better-B study is a Phase 3 clinical trial.
Can I take part?
You may be able to take part if you have received a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis and experience severe breathlessness (for example, having to stop for breath after walking for a few minutes on level ground, or being too breathless to leave the house or feeling breathless when dressing). The study is also open to patients with other forms of interstitial lung disease and COPD.
In all clinical trials, there are lots of different reasons why you may or may not be able to take part. These are known as inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only the clinical trial team will be able to fully determine whether you are able to take part in the study.
What is involved?
• This study involves taking either mirtazapine or a placebo tablet for 8 weeks during the trial.
• You would have 6 interviews with the researchers via phone or video call. You would complete several surveys with them.
• There are no hospital visits involved in this study.
Where in the UK is this study taking place?
This study is currently recruiting participants at Kings College Hospital, London, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull and Nottingham City Hospital.
Patients who do not live locally to these hospitals may also be able to take part. The coverage of Kings College Hospital for this study includes Dartford and Brighton.
If you are interested in taking part or would like more information about this study, you can email better-b@kcl.ac.uk
BETTER-B is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 825319.
Further news and updates on the programme can be found here.
You must discuss all aspects of your participation or interest in participating in a clinical trial with your medical team.
This post provides information about an opportunity to participate in research. More detailed information about the study can be found by following the links provided. If you have any questions about the research study, please speak to your medical team and contact the researchers directly. APF does not endorse or recommend any specific study. All responsibility for the study remains with the sponsors and investigators.
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