Premedication With N-acetylcysteine and Simethicone to Improve Mucosal Visualization in Elective Upper Endoscopy

NCT ID: NCT07245095

Last Updated: 2025-11-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Total Enrollment

132 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-09-12

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

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The goal of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial is to assess whether the combination of N-acetylcysteine and simethicone improves mucosal visibility during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in adults aged 18 to 99 years of both sexes, including both healthy individuals and those with non-bleeding gastrointestinal symptoms.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

Does pre-endoscopy administration of N-acetylcysteine/simethicone improve mucosal visualization based on the Toronto Upper Gastrointestinal Cleanliness Score (TUGS)?

Is this combination safe and well tolerated in this patient population?

Researchers will compare patients receiving N-acetylcysteine (600 mg) and simethicone (100 mg) orally 20-60 minutes before the procedure with those receiving placebo (water) to determine if there is a significant improvement in TUGS scores.

Participants will:

Receive a single oral dose of either N-acetylcysteine/simethicone or placebo prior to endoscopy

Undergo a routine upper GI endoscopy

Have mucosal cleanliness evaluated using the TUGS scoring system

Be monitored for any adverse events or intolerance

Detailed Description

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This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) combined with simethicone in improving mucosal visibility during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE). The evaluation will be based on the Toronto Upper Gastrointestinal Cleanliness Score (TUGS), a validated tool to assess mucosal cleanliness.

Participants will include adult patients aged 18 to 99 years who are scheduled to undergo diagnostic UGIE for various indications and who do not present with active gastrointestinal bleeding. Eligible participants will be randomized to receive either a single dose of NAC (600 mg) plus simethicone (100 mg) or a placebo (water), administered orally 20 to 60 minutes prior to the procedure. The allocation will be blinded to both participants and endoscopists.

The main objective of the study is to determine whether this premedication protocol results in better mucosal visibility, as measured by the total TUGS score. Secondary objectives include documenting the presence of significant endoscopic findings and histopathological diagnoses, and evaluating the tolerability and safety profile of the premedication.

TUGS scores will be assigned by trained endoscopists blinded to the treatment allocation. Variables such as age, sex, BMI, duration of fasting, hospital site, and endoscope model will be recorded and controlled for in statistical analyses. The study will also assess any potential adverse events associated with the administration of NAC/simethicone.

This study is categorized as Phase 2 because it evaluates the preliminary efficacy and short-term safety of pre-procedural oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and simethicone to improve mucosal visibility during diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, using the Toronto Upper Gastrointestinal Cleaning Score (TUGCS) as a validated surrogate endpoint. Both agents have established safety profiles for other indications, but their combined use for this indication is not an approved or established standard of care. The trial is randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled with a moderate sample size designed to estimate effect size and variability rather than to deliver definitive, multi-center confirmatory evidence on hard clinical outcomes.

All procedures will adhere to ethical standards, and informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Data will be collected in a coded, anonymized format and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods, including ANCOVA and non-parametric tests where assumptions of normality are not met.

Conditions

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Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Simethicone N-Acetylcysteine Premedication Visualization Esophagogastroduodensocopy (EGD) Procedure Placebo - Control Gastritis Associated With Helicobacter Pylori Tumor Gastric Lesions in the Esophagus, Stomach, Duodenum or Rectum

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators

Study Groups

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Patients receiving n-acetylcysteine/simethicone

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Premedication with n-acetylcysteine

Intervention Type DRUG

Once the sample size has been calculated, patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited. who will be randomized using the "Randomized for Clinical Trial" program for assignment to treatment groups A and B. Group A will receive 600 mg of N-acetylcysteine and 100 mg of simethicone orally 20 to 60 minutes before the procedure, while the control group will receive an equivalent placebo infusion (composed of drinking water). Premedication and placebo will be labeled in containers as medication or placebo by external personnel not involved in the study, and the identification of each bag will be noted on a sheet and kept in an envelope that will be opened at the end of the study. Tolerance will be evaluated. If any adverse events are identified, the principal investigator will be notified for action regarding the management of the adverse event and its reporting.

Premedication with simethicone

Intervention Type DRUG

Once the sample size has been calculated, patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited. who will be randomized using the "Randomized for Clinical Trial" program for assignment to treatment groups A and B. Group A will receive 600 mg of N-acetylcysteine and 100 mg of simethicone orally 20 to 60 minutes before the procedure, while the control group will receive an equivalent placebo infusion (composed of drinking water). Premedication and placebo will be labeled in containers as medication or placebo by external personnel not involved in the study, and the identification of each bag will be noted on a sheet and kept in an envelope that will be opened at the end of the study. Tolerance will be evaluated. If any adverse events are identified, the principal investigator will be notified for action regarding the management of the adverse event and its reporting

Patients receiving placebo

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo (drinking water)

Intervention Type DRUG

The control group will receive an equivalent placebo infusion (composed of drinking water)

Interventions

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Premedication with n-acetylcysteine

Once the sample size has been calculated, patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited. who will be randomized using the "Randomized for Clinical Trial" program for assignment to treatment groups A and B. Group A will receive 600 mg of N-acetylcysteine and 100 mg of simethicone orally 20 to 60 minutes before the procedure, while the control group will receive an equivalent placebo infusion (composed of drinking water). Premedication and placebo will be labeled in containers as medication or placebo by external personnel not involved in the study, and the identification of each bag will be noted on a sheet and kept in an envelope that will be opened at the end of the study. Tolerance will be evaluated. If any adverse events are identified, the principal investigator will be notified for action regarding the management of the adverse event and its reporting.

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo (drinking water)

The control group will receive an equivalent placebo infusion (composed of drinking water)

Intervention Type DRUG

Premedication with simethicone

Once the sample size has been calculated, patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited. who will be randomized using the "Randomized for Clinical Trial" program for assignment to treatment groups A and B. Group A will receive 600 mg of N-acetylcysteine and 100 mg of simethicone orally 20 to 60 minutes before the procedure, while the control group will receive an equivalent placebo infusion (composed of drinking water). Premedication and placebo will be labeled in containers as medication or placebo by external personnel not involved in the study, and the identification of each bag will be noted on a sheet and kept in an envelope that will be opened at the end of the study. Tolerance will be evaluated. If any adverse events are identified, the principal investigator will be notified for action regarding the management of the adverse event and its reporting

Intervention Type DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Men and women aged 18 to 70 years old.
* Patients who agree to participate in the clinical trial.
* Patients without active gastrointestinal bleeding.
* Signing of informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria

* Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to N-acetylcysteine
* Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to simethicone
* Patients with a previous endoscopic diagnosis
* Patients with a history of gastric or bariatric surgery
* Patients with a history of motor disorders (e.g., scleroderma, diabetic gastroparesis)
* Patients taking medications that delay gastric emptying (GLP-1 analogues)
* Pregnant or breastfeeding patients
* Patients who do not agree to participate in the clinical trial
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

99 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Hospital General de Mexicali

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Hospital Almater

Mexicali, Estado de Baja California, Mexico

Site Status RECRUITING

Hospital General de Mexicali

Mexicali, Estado de Baja California, Mexico

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Mexico

Central Contacts

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Luis Andre Sanchez Perez, Resident

Role: CONTACT

+ 52 6863468689

Jesus Alberto Camacho Escobedo, Gastroenterologist

Role: CONTACT

+ 52 6862146050

Facility Contacts

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Jesus Alberto Camacho Escobedo, Gastroenterologist

Role: primary

01 686 2146050

Jesus Alberto Camacho Escobedo, Gastroenterologist

Role: primary

55 686 2146050

References

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Devereaux BM, Taylor ACF, Athan E, Wallis DJ, Brown RR, Greig SM, Bailey FK, Vickery K, Wardle E, Jones DM. Simethicone use during gastrointestinal endoscopy: Position statement of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Dec;34(12):2086-2089. doi: 10.1111/jgh.14757. Epub 2019 Jul 28.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31242327 (View on PubMed)

Manfredi G, Berte R, Iiritano E, Alicante S, Londoni C, Brambilla G, Romeo S, Menozzi F, Griffanti P, Brandi G, Moreschi O, Pezzilli R, Zullo A, Buscarini E. Premedication with simethicone and N-acetylcysteine for improving mucosal visibility during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in a Western population. Endosc Int Open. 2021 Feb;9(2):E190-E194. doi: 10.1055/a-1315-0114. Epub 2021 Jan 25.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33532557 (View on PubMed)

Monrroy H, Vargas JI, Glasinovic E, Candia R, Azua E, Galvez C, Rojas C, Cabrera N, Vidaurre J, Alvarez N, Gonzalez J, Espino A, Gonzalez R, Parra-Blanco A. Use of N-acetylcysteine plus simethicone to improve mucosal visibility during upper GI endoscopy: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Gastrointest Endosc. 2018 Apr;87(4):986-993. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2017.10.005. Epub 2017 Oct 14.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29037773 (View on PubMed)

Beaufort IN, Verbeek RE, Bosman JH, Al-Toma A, Bogte A, Alvarez Herrero L, Weusten BLAM. Optimal timing of simethicone administration prior to upper endoscopy: A multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Endosc Int Open. 2023 Oct 17;11(10):E992-E1000. doi: 10.1055/a-2157-5034. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37854124 (View on PubMed)

Mahawongkajit P, Kanlerd A. A prospective randomized controlled trial comparing simethicone, N-acetylcysteine, sodium bicarbonate and peppermint for visualization in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Surg Endosc. 2021 Jan;35(1):303-308. doi: 10.1007/s00464-020-07397-8. Epub 2020 Feb 3.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 32016519 (View on PubMed)

Chang WK, Yeh MK, Hsu HC, Chen HW, Hu MK. Efficacy of simethicone and N-acetylcysteine as premedication in improving visibility during upper endoscopy. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Apr;29(4):769-74. doi: 10.1111/jgh.12487.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 24325147 (View on PubMed)

Sajid MS, Rehman S, Chedgy F, Singh KK. Improving the mucosal visualization at gastroscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials reporting the role of Simethicone +/- N-acetylcysteine. Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018 May 19;3:29. doi: 10.21037/tgh.2018.05.02. eCollection 2018.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 29971260 (View on PubMed)

Li Y, Du F, Fu D. The effect of using simethicone with or without N-acetylcysteine before gastroscopy: A meta-analysis and systemic review. Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2019 Jul-Aug;25(4):218-228. doi: 10.4103/sjg.SJG_538_18.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 31044749 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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NACSIMET-ETDA-MEX2025

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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