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Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Effects of Paroxetine on Cardiovascular Function in Septic Patients

Effects of Paroxetine on Cardiovascular Function in Septic Patients: a Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial

Effects of Paroxetine on Cardiovascular Function in Septic Patients (NCT05725837) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Septic Shock and Sepsis, sponsored by Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - Unidade Academica de Ciecias da Saude. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

It is known that septic shock is characterized by arterial hypotension, decreased peripheral vascular resistance and hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictor agents, with NO being an important mediator of this organ dysfunction. Data in the literature have shown that hyporeactivity to catecholamines is associated with a decrease in the density of α and ß receptors in the aorta and heart, respectively, as well as an increase in GRK2 levels and that NO contributes to the increase of this kinase in sepsis . Based on this, it is hypothesized that cardiac dysfunction and decreased peripheral vascular resistance observed in sepsis may result from an increase in GRK2 activity and/or expression and its inhibition may be a relevant therapeutic target in septic shock patients. Based on this line, a measurable clinical benefit of paroxetine through the regulation of GRK2 expression in patients with septic shock is postulated.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Septic Shock and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 92 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Septic Shock subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - Patient over 18 years of age; - Patient diagnosed with septic shock for less than 48 hours and using a minimum dose of noradrenaline (0.01 mcg/kg/min); - Patients and/or legal guardians who consented to participate in the study through the free and willing to sign a consent form term before randomization. Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - Pregnant women; - Patients with inability to use the gastrointestinal tract; - Patients with known intolerance to paroxetine and/or fluoxetine; - Patients on concomitant use of medications that may potentiate the occurrence of serotonin syndrome (tramadol, citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, desvenlafaxine, venlafaxine, duloxetine, sibutramine, bupropion, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, lithium); - Patients in end-of-life care or with an expected survival of less than 24 hours at the time of eligibility Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: * Patient over 18 years of age; * Patient diagnosed with septic shock for less than 48 hours and using a minimum dose of noradrenaline (0.01 mcg/kg/min); * Patients and/or legal guardians who consented to participate in the study through the free and informed consent term before randomization. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women; * Patients with inability to use the gastrointestinal tract; * Patients with known intolerance to paroxetine and/or fluoxetine; * Patients on concomitant use of medications that may potentiate the occurrence of serotonin syndrome (tramadol, citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, desvenlafaxine, venlafaxine, duloxetine, sibutramine, bupropion, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, lithium); * Patients in end-of-life care or with an expected survival of less than 24 hours at the time of eligibility

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Paroxetine

Paroxetine, 40mg/day, once a day, for 05 consecutive days or 24 hours after shock resolution

Locations (2)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Hospital Maternidade São José de Colatina
Colatina, Espírito Santo, Brazil
Hospital São José
Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT05725837), the sponsor (Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - Unidade Academica de Ciecias da Saude), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT05725837 clinical trial studying?

It is known that septic shock is characterized by arterial hypotension, decreased peripheral vascular resistance and hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictor agents, with NO being an important mediator of this organ dysfunction. Data in the literature have shown that hyporeactivity to catecholamines is associated with a decrease in the density of α and ß receptors in the aorta and heart, respectively, as well as an increase in GRK2 levels and that NO contributes to the increase of this kinase in sepsis . Based on this, it is hypothesized that cardiac dysfunction and decreased peripheral vascular res… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT05725837?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT05725837?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT05725837. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT05725837. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-26 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.