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Escitalopram for Frequent Asthma Exacerbations

This study is looking at whether escitalopram, an FDA-approved antidepressant, can help people with moderate to severe asthma who have frequent asthma attacks (exacerbations). You might be able to join if you are 18-75 years old, have moderate to severe asthma, and have had at least three severe asthma attacks in the past year despite using standard asthma medications. Half of the participants will receive escitalopram, and the other half will receive a placebo (an inactive pill). Researchers will compare the total number of severe asthma attacks over 24 weeks between these two groups to see if escitalopram helps reduce them. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status and plans to enroll 105 people.

Study design
This is a 26-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 105 participants. This means participants will be randomly assigned to receive either escitalopram or a placebo, and neither you nor your doctor will know which you are receiving.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary outcome, severe asthma exacerbations, will be measured at 24 weeks.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06216535

Escitalopram in Asthma Patients With Frequent Exacerbation

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 18–75InterventionalTreatment
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
~105 participants
Updated 2026-01-26 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:EscitalopramPlacebo

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Total number of severe asthma exacerbations
Measured over 24 weeks

Conditions

Asthma

Explore related trials

Asthma

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Texas1

Study leadership

  • Sherwood Brown, M.D, Ph.D, MBA · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · UTSW Medical Center

Who to contact

Reagan Volzer, M.S.
[email protected]
214-645-6963
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Moderate to severe persistent asthma
Treatment with medium to high dose ICS and LABA therapy
Three or more severe asthma exacerbations (requiring ≥ 3 days of systemic corticosteroids) in the past year
Age 18-75 years old, male or female sex, English or Spanish speaking
Participants will be required to be clinically stable with no recent exacerbations, infections or changes in asthma controller therapy for at least 4 weeks before study entry
Biologic therapy for asthma (e.g., omalizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab, tezepelumab) will be allowed if started at least 6 months prior to randomization

Exclusion

Current substance use disorder and/or current tobacco use or greater than 10 pack-years lifetime use
A current MDD episode as well as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder
Vulnerable populations including intellectual disability or other severe cognitive impairment, inmates, pregnant or nursing women or women of childbearing age who will not use UT Southwestern IRB-approved methods of birth control or abstinence during the study
Currently taking an antidepressant (antidepressants that are not SSRIs nor SNRIs prescribed for an indication other than depression at subtherapeutic doses are acceptable)
High risk for suicide defined as \> 1 past suicide attempts or any attempt within the past 12 months
Severe or life-threatening medical illness that would make completion of study unlikely or clinically significant laboratory or ECG findings at baseline

What this trial measures

  • Total number of severe asthma exacerbations24 weeks

    A count outcome variable capturing the total number of severe asthma exacerbations. Severe asthma exacerbations will be defined by the use of oral corticosteroids ≥ 3 days, or hospitalization or emergency department visit leading to treatment with systemic glucocorticoids