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Prevention of Recurrence of Clostridioides Difficile Colitis With Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UCDA) as a Supplement to Standard Therapy

NCT06884748 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: EARLY_PHASE1 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-04-29

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) can help prevent recurrence of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) colitis when used along with standard antibiotic treatment. C. diff colitis is a serious infection that can return after treatment, and researchers want to see if UDCA can reduce this risk.

This study aims to answer three main questions. First, can UDCA help prevent C. diff from returning after standard treatment? Second, does adding UDCA to treatment lower the need for repeated antibiotic use? Third, is UDCA safe and well-tolerated for people with C. diff?

Participants in the study will be adults diagnosed with C. diff colitis who have risk factors for recurrence. Each participant will receive standard antibiotic treatment, which may include Vancomycin, Fidaxomicin, or Metronidazole. In addition to their antibiotic therapy, participants will take UDCA at a dose of 500 mg three times a day for up to eight weeks. If a participant's stool test shows they are C. diff negative at four weeks, they will stop taking UDCA early.

Researchers will monitor participants throughout the study. Stool samples will be tested at the beginning, after four weeks, and at the end of the study. If a participant develops diarrhea, a stool test will check for C. diff. If C. diff is negative, the UDCA dose will be reduced. Weekly phone calls will be made to check for side effects and ensure participants are following the treatment plan.

C. diff colitis is a common and serious infection, with up to 46 percent of high-risk patients experiencing recurrence. Current treatments rely on antibiotics, which can disrupt gut bacteria and increase the risk of reinfection. UDCA is a naturally occurring bile acid that may help prevent C. diff from growing, reducing the need for repeated antibiotic treatment. If successful, this study could introduce a new way to prevent C. diff from coming back, helping patients recover more effectively while reducing antibiotic use.

Eligible participants must be at least 18 years old, have a positive C. diff test, and be receiving standard antibiotic treatment for C. diff. People who have severe or life-threatening C. diff colitis, a life expectancy of less than six months, serious liver disease, or are pregnant or breastfeeding will not be eligible to participate.

UDCA is FDA-approved and has been used safely for decades in liver diseases and gallstone treatment. Some people may experience mild side effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, or stomach discomfort. Participants will be closely monitored for safety throughout the study.

This trial will take place within the Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin healthcare system in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Conditions

  • Clostridioides Difficile Infection

Interventions

DRUG

Ursodiol 500 MG

Standard of care treatment (Flagyl, Vancomycin or Fidaxomicin) + UDCA 500 mg TID for 8 weeks. UDCA to be started while patient is on antibiotics for C. difficile and continue for 8 weeks total.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Medical College of Wisconsin

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-05-01
Primary Completion
2027-05-01
Completion
2028-05-01
FDA Drug
Yes

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06884748 on ClinicalTrials.gov