Clinical Drug Trials?

I was recently thinking about participating in a clinical drug trial. Has anyone out there participated in one, and if so what did you think of it? Did you get paid well? Were there any adverse effects? I would just like to gain some insight on the subject. I am extremely poor (I have a job) and I really need some extra money to even be able to pay my bills (which are all past due). Please try to be a little nice...I have had the worst winter of my life.

I am sorry you are having such a hard time, and I understand your desire to earn more money (it can't really be called "extra money" for average people like us, can it). But I would caution you against volunteering for any kind of clinical drug trial or medical study, even though some of them pay very well.

The reasons are many. In a clinical drug trial the best thing that could happen would be that you end up in the placebo group and only get sugar pills. If you get the real thing, you open yourself up for serious problems. Your health could be compromised causing you to be unable to work. Your very life could be compromised. You've surely seen how many approved drugs already on the market are causing problems. It goes almost without saying that a new drug, an unknown drug, can be harmful.

Take care of your health; don't take any drug unless it is for an illness that requires treatment and your doctor prescribes it.

There are other kinds of studies that you can volunteer for that don't require you to put an unknown substance into your body. They also pay volunteers. Below is only one link of many that I found in a basic search for all kinds of studies.
Also, please look into programs that are already in place with utility companies, local service clubs (Kiwanis, Lions, etc.) and even your City government that may be able to assist you with your bills. Help is available, and things will improve for you.

You're very welcome! I'm glad I could help. And you made my day with your comment :-) Report It

This is your personal choice, and if you are prepared to possibly suffer from any side effects (which have not necessarily been determined; hence why you are in a clinical drug trial- so if the drug were to be sold, then side effects could be stated), then you have the right to decide whether or not this is for you. Do your research in finding out everything you possibly can about this new drug. I have not participated in clinical drug trials, however, I am in graduate school to receive my doctorates in psychology. From what I know about these trials, there is a 50% chance you may receive a placaebo (a pill in which no medication exists). Funny enough, many people who do take the placaebo claim they are cured and that the "medication" is the next best thing. The mind can be very powerful if one truly believes in something. I am sorry that you have been having financial troubles, however, I would advise that unless this drug may be life changing for the better, due to a dysfunction you suffer from, or something you feel you may need; it may not be worth the risk. Good luck.

Most drug studies are looking for people with a certain medical condition, and most have additional requirements. For instance, a study could be for an asthma inhaler, and is looking for people between 18-40 with asthma, who do not have any other medical condtions, and have never taken oral steroids.

I have seen ads for studies for average healthy people, where they stick an investigational gel patch on your skin. This was in the newspaper, and this is probably your best source of info about these kinds of studies.

Keep in mind that the paperwork for drug studies can take a very long time, which might effect how long it takes you to get paid. The gel patch study pays something like $25, so you might be better off selling unwanted items at a garage sale.