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Effect of Tricortin 1000 on chronic low back pain

A Double Blind, Double Dummy, Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo- and Active-controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate Effectiveness of Tricortin 1000 in Patients Affected by Chronic Low Back Pain

Phase 4 Interventional Fidia Farmaceutici s.p.a. · NCT04585334

This study is testing if a new topical treatment called Tricortin 1000 can help people aged 40 to 70 with chronic low back pain feel better compared to a placebo.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment300 (estimated)
Ages40 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorFidia Farmaceutici s.p.a. Industry-sponsored
Locations13 sites (Porlezza, Como and 12 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04585334 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of Tricortin 1000 in alleviating chronic low back pain (LBP) through a double-blind, multicenter, randomized controlled design. A total of 300 patients aged 40 to 70 with chronic mechanical LBP will be enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either Tricortin 1000, a topical Diclofenac sodium plaster, or a placebo. The study will assess pain relief and functional improvement over a 15-day follow-up period, with baseline evaluations including pain scores and functional disability assessments. The trial aims to demonstrate the superiority of Tricortin 1000 compared to placebo in managing chronic LBP.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 40 to 70 with a diagnosis of chronic mechanical low back pain lasting between 3 to 6 months.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic low back pain due to causes other than mild to moderate degenerative processes of the disc and facet may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve pain management for patients suffering from chronic low back pain.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using similar approaches for pain management, but the specific use of Tricortin 1000 in this context is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Clinical diagnosis of mechanical (mild, moderate degenerative process of disc and facet) chronic LBP, for at least 3 months but no more than 6 months, confirmed (thanks to instrumental analysis obtained within 9 months before the Screening visit) by CT or MRI. In case a MRI/CT performed in the previous 9 months is not available, the diagnosis should be confirmed by means of a MRI performed between Screening visit (Visit 1) and Baseline visit (Visit 2)
2. A moderate to severe acute exacerbation of Chronic LBP at study entry, defined as a score ≥4 and ≤8 rated on the NRS-11
3. Age greater than or equal to 40 and less than or equal to 70 years
4. Patient able to maintain a Diary during the study
5. Patient with a Body Mass Index (BMI) \< 30 kg/m2
6. Discontinuation of any analgesic/NSAID therapy, opioids, corticosteroids, skeletal muscle relaxants and any other medication or non-pharmacological therapy (if it would interfere with the study assessments), with no intent to resume during study
7. Patients who did not receive antidepressant medications and/or benzodiazepines for at least 60 days
8. Patient able to read and understand the language and content of the study material, understand the requirements for follow-up visits, is willing to provide information at the scheduled evaluations and is willing and able to comply with the study requirements
9. Patient has undergone the informed consent process and has signed an approved consent form
10. If female, patient must have a negative urine pregnancy test and use a highly effective form of contraception for at least one month prior to screening and throughout the study; or females must be surgically sterile, or postmenopausal as documented in medical history for at least one year. Highly effective birth control methods include: combined hormonal contraception (containing estrogen and progestogen) associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal, transdermal); progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, injectable, implantable); intrauterine device (IUD); intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS); bilateral tubal occlusion; vasectomised partner; sexual abstinence\*
11. Patients who did not use Tricortin 1000 in the past to treat LBP or other pathological conditions.

    * Note: According to 4.1 paragraph "Birth control methods which may be considered as highly effective" of the CTFG/Recommendations related to contraception and pregnancy testing in clinical trials

Baseline Inclusion Criteria:

1. In aptients for which a MRI/CT performed in the previous 9 months is not available, the diagnosis of chronic LBP should be confirmed by means of a MRI performed between screening visit (Visit 1) and baseline (Visit 2)
2. LBP with score ≥ 5 and ≤ 8 in the NRS-11 (off medication except for paracetamol, study rescue medication)
3. Patient has discontinued use of all analgesic/NSAIDs, opioids, corticosteroids, skeletal muscle relaxants, and any other medication or non-pharmacological therapy (if it would interfere with the study assessments) at V1 (except for patients that will perform the MRI between Screening and Baseline visit) and agree not to resume them during study (except for paracetamol, study rescue medication). These medication must be discontinued for at least 14 days before the Baseline visit (Visit 2/ Day 0), i.e. can be taken for maximum 7 days during the 14-21 days of Screening phase, in case that the screening phase is prolonged up to 21 days in patients that will perform the MRI between screening and baseline visit.
4. Patient has complied with the requirements for rescue medication (no more than 4 tablets - 2 grams - of paracetamol per day up to 4 days per week) and no paracetamol intake in the 24 hours before baseline visit
5. Patient continues to meet all Screening inclusion/exclusion criteria at the Baseline visit, with the exception of screening inclusion criterion 2 which is replaced by baseline inclusion criterion 2

Exclusion Criteria:

Related to patients

1. Patients suffering of chronic non-specific LBP
2. Females who are pregnant or breast-feeding
3. Patients who are not able to give informed consent
4. Patients who cannot commit to the entire duration of the study
5. Patients with back pain referred from a mechanical cause (except for mild, moderate degenerative process of disc and facet) non spinal source or back pain associated with another specific spinal cause
6. Patients who have a primary bone disease, cancer, infection (except for osteoporosis patients without fracture history)
7. Other conditions which may confound the interpretation of the study, such as carpal, rheumatoid arthritis, severe venous diseases, peripheral arterial diseases, transient ischemic attack, stroke, current symptoms of coronary artery disease
8. History of narcotic abuse at any time in the past and/or drug or alcohol abuse in the past year
9. Patients who have had a previous treatment with physical therapy for LBP in the last 4 weeks before the screening visit or are going through a course of physical therapy or chiropractic treatment at the time of planned enrolment
10. Participation in another research study
11. History of epilepsy
12. Patients who have an unstable psychiatric condition

    Red flags as possible indicators of serious spinal pathology:
13. Unexplained serious thoracic pain
14. Any recent trauma, which may raise the possibility of a fracture
15. Fever and unexplained weight loss
16. Bladder or bowel dysfunction
17. History of carcinoma
18. Progressive neurological deficit
19. Disturbed gait, saddle anaesthesia Musculoskeletal related
20. Radicular syndromes of idiopathic,metabolic, toxic, infective, demyelinating or neoplastic aetiology
21. Patients with spondylolisthesis, spondylolysis or ankylosing spondylitis.
22. Patients with scoliosis of 15° or more
23. Patients with inflammatory arthritis or severe degenerative process of disc and facet
24. Patients who have had prior spine surgery, including rhizotomy as like as, patients who are planning or have been advised to have spine surgery.

    Concomitant conditions, diseases, medications and/or clinical history
25. Patients with any concomitant chronic disease(s) or condition(s) that may predispose them to a high probability of interfering with the completion of the follow-up of the study such as peptic ulcer, liver disease, severe coronary disease, renal disease, cancer, pregnancy, alcoholism, mental state, or other clinically significant condition
26. Patients with history of active or suspected oesophageal, gastric, pyloric channel, or duodenal ulceration or bleeding in the last 12 weeks before the screening visit
27. Patients requiring chronic use of analgesia for pain
28. Patients with known allergies or hypersensitivity or intolerance to Tricortin 1000, NSAIDs and/or paracetamol, and/or to active or inactive excipients of formulation
29. Patients in treatment with neuroleptics (antipsychotics)
30. Patients affected by diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
31. Any contraindications to either prone distraction or side posture manipulation
32. Any contraindications as reported in the Patient Information Leaflet of Tricortin 1000 or Diclofenac sodium medicated plaster.

Where this trial is running

Porlezza, Como and 12 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Low Back Pain, MechanicalChronicDegenerative process of disc and facet
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.