Recruiting

Testing a new cortisol-blocking medication for PTSD in veterans

Plain-English translation of NCT04452500 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated January 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

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Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.

What is this trial?

This study is testing a medication called to see if it can help treat PTSD symptoms in veterans. The medication works by blocking cortisol, a stress hormone that is often abnormal in people with PTSD. Researchers believe this treatment might reduce PTSD symptoms and improve quality of life.

Scientists have found that people with PTSD often have problems with their cortisol levels, and medications that block cortisol may help with PTSD and related conditions. This trial will determine whether this new treatment is safe and effective enough to study further.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are a veteran with a history of U.S. military service
you have PTSD symptoms severe enough to score 23 or higher on a standard PTSD assessment
you are able to read and understand English and provide written informed consent
you are willing to use two forms of reliable birth control (if you are male or pre-menopausal female)
you have been on any PTSD medications at a stable dose for at least 6–8 weeks before enrolling

You likely don't qualify if…

you have had heavy alcohol use or drug use that meets criteria for addiction in the past 3 months
you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or certain other serious mental health conditions
you are currently taking antipsychotic medications, certain mood stabilizers, or certain other antidepressants
you have had a heart attack in the past 6 months, heart rhythm problems, or uncontrolled high blood pressure
you have serious kidney, liver, or lung disease, or uncontrolled diabetes

What participation looks like

You will have several visits over about 8 weeks. First, you'll complete screening with interviews, questionnaires, blood work, and medical exams. If you qualify, you'll be randomly assigned to take either the medication or a placebo pill once a day for 7 days. You'll have follow-up visits and calls at days 7, 28, and 56 to check how you're doing and look for any side effects.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 2, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(2 sites)

United States

Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Tuscaloosa, AL, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, San Francisco, California