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Exploring Eluxadoline for Treating IBS-D in Children

A Phase 2, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Dose-Ranging Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Eluxadoline in Pediatric Participants (Age 6 to 17 Years) With Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea (IBS-D)

Phase 2 Interventional AbbVie · NCT03339128

This study is testing if eluxadoline can help children aged 6 to 11 with irritable bowel syndrome that causes diarrhea feel better.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment95 (estimated)
Ages6 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorAbbVie Industry-sponsored
Locations46 sites (Hot Springs, Arkansas and 45 other locations)
Trial IDNCT03339128 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the therapeutic effects of eluxadoline in children aged 6 to 17 with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). It aims to evaluate the drug's pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability in this pediatric population. The study includes both an active treatment group receiving eluxadoline and a placebo group. Enrollment is currently open for children aged 6 to 11, while enrollment for those aged 12 to 17 has closed.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 6 to 11 years diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 6 to 17 years or those with other gastrointestinal disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve the quality of life for children suffering from IBS-D.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in treating IBS-D with similar pharmacological approaches, but this specific application in children is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Participant must provide written or verbal informed assent and the parent/guardian/LAR must provide written informed consent before the initiation of any study-specific procedures.
* Participant is a male or female outpatient, 6 to 17 years of age inclusive, at the time the participant provides assent for the study and parent/guardian/LAR has provided signed consent.
* Participant is able to read and understand the assessments in the eDiary. If the participant is 6 to 11 years of age and does not meet this criterion, the interviewer-administered version of the eDiary must be used and the parent/guardian/LAR or caregiver who will be administering the interviewer-administered version of the eDiary must be able to read and understand the assessments in the eDiary and must undergo training.
* Female participants must not be pregnant, breastfeeding, or considering becoming pregnant during the study or for approximately 30 days after the last dose of study drug. Female participants of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test at Visit 1 (screening) and a negative urine pregnancy test at Visit 3 (randomization) prior to dosing.
* Female participants of childbearing potential must practice at least 1 protocol-specified method of birth control, that is effective from Study Day 1 through at least 30 days after the last dose of study drug. Local practices may require 2 methods of birth control. Female participants of non-childbearing potential do not need to use birth control.
* Participant has a diagnosis of IBS-D as defined by the modified Rome IV child/adolescent criteria: Must include all of the following:

  \-- Abdominal pain at least 4 days per month over at least 2 months associated with one or more of the following:
  * Related to defecation
  * A change in frequency of stool
  * A change in form (appearance) of stool

    * After appropriate evaluation, the symptoms cannot be fully explained by another medical condition.
    * Participant has predominantly diarrheal stool symptoms defined as Bristol stool types 6 or 7 for more than 25% of bowel movements and Bristol stool types 1 or 2 for less than 25% of bowel movements that occur in the absence of laxative.
  * Participant may be newly diagnosed with IBS-D by the investigator at Visit 1. All criteria for diagnosis must be fulfilled for at least 2 months prior to Visit 1 (screening).
* Participant has been compliant with the eDiary by completing both the morning and evening assessments for at least 8 out of the 14 days immediately preceding Visit 3 (randomization).
* Participant has an average daytime abdominal pain score greater than or equal to 1.0 over the 2 weeks prior to randomization.
* Participant has at least 1 daytime bowel movement with a consistency of Type 6 or Type 7 on the pediatric Bristol Stool Form Scale (p-BSFS) on at least 2 days per week during the 2 weeks immediately prior to randomization and that occurs in the absence of laxatives.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participant has no gallbladder, (ie, agenesis of the gallbladder or cholecystectomy).
* Participant has had any of the following surgeries:

  * Any abdominal surgery within the 3 months prior to Screening; or
  * A history of major gastric, hepatic, pancreatic, or intestinal surgery. (Note: appendectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, or polypectomy greater than 3 months post-surgery are allowed. For the purposes of this study, laparoscopic surgeries without complication are considered minor and non-exclusionary, provided the condition for which the surgery was performed was not exclusionary.)
* Participant has a history of chronic or severe constipation or sequelae from constipation, or known or suspected mechanical GI obstruction or pseudo obstruction.
* Participant has a history or current diagnosis of constipation with encopresis.
* Participant meets the child/adolescent Rome IV criteria of IBS with constipation, IBS with constipation and diarrhea (mixed), unspecified IBS, or functional constipation.
* Participant has a history of intestinal obstruction, stricture, toxic megacolon, GI perforation, fecal impaction, gastric banding, bariatric surgery, adhesions, ischemic colitis, or impaired intestinal circulation.
* Participant has a documented history of hepatic impairment as defined by Child-Pugh Classification Grade A, B or C.
* Participant has a history or current diagnosis of inflammatory or immune-mediated lower GI disorders including inflammatory bowel disease (eg, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, microscopic colitis). Crohn's disease affecting the upper GI tract would also be exclusionary.
* Participant has celiac disease, or a positive serological test for celiac disease and the condition has not been ruled out by endoscopic biopsy.
* Participant has any congenital and/or acquired malabsorption syndrome (eg, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome).
* Participant has a history of a microbiologically documented (ie, stool culture or medical history) GI infection within 3 months prior to Screening.
* Participant has a known lactose or fructose intolerance that is associated with diarrhea, abdominal pain or discomfort, and that could confound assessments in the study.
* Participant has a history of diverticulitis within 3 months prior to Screening.

Where this trial is running

Hot Springs, Arkansas and 45 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 Irritable Bowel SyndromeIrritable Bowel Syndrome with DiarrheaIBSIBSDIBS-DPediatric
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.