MedPath

Efficacy of Vitex Agnus-castus BNO 1095 (20 mg) in Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea

Phase 3
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Primary Dysmenorrhea
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Drug: Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 (20 mg)
Registration Number
NCT06211049
Lead Sponsor
Bionorica SE
Brief Summary

In this Phase III study, the herbal product Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 20 mg will be tested.

The sponsor would like to find out if treatment with Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 20 mg may improve the cramping pain before or during menstruation (primary dysmenorrhea) (without an organic cause) in women and if this treatment is safe. It is tested, if the pelvic pain and other symptoms during menstruation improve in patients who are treated with Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 20 mg and if therefore the standard treatments for primary dysmenorrhea, for example pain relief medications will not have to be increased.

The study has 2 treatment groups. Patients in one group will receive Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 20 mg, and patients in the other group will receive a placebo. Placebo tablets look like Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 20 mg tablets but have no active ingredient. Patients will be randomly assigned (like tossing a coin) to one of the 2 groups (this process is called randomization). The chance for the patients to receive Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 is 50%. Neither the patients nor the investigators know which product the patients are taking (this method is known as "double-blind").

Detailed Description

This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter, phase III clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of investigational medicinal product (IMP) Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 20 mg in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

The clinical trial will be conducted in Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Sweden.

About 390 patients will be screened so that about 300 patients (150 patients per treatment group) will be randomized.

Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 20 mg is extracted from the fruits of the plant Vitex agnus-castus also called monk's pepper or chaste tree. Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 20 mg is currently marketed for the treatment of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) which means repeated occurrence of physical, behavioral and psychological symptoms the days before the onset of menstruation, but it is not authorized for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

The study has 2 treatment groups. Patients in one group will receive Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 20 mg, and patients in the other group will receive a placebo. Patients will be randomly assigned 1:1 to one of the 2 groups. The chance to receive Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 is 50%. The study is double blinded, neither the patients nor the investigators know which product the patients are taking.

The study will last about 7 months for each patient. There will be 5 visits at the study site, and in addition the patients will receive 3 phone calls from the study site. On average, each study site visit will take about 2 hours and each phone call about half an hour.

The trial will include 3 phases: a screening and run-in phase of up to 2 menstrual cycles, a treatment phase of 4 menstrual cycles and a follow-up phase of 1 menstrual cycle. The length of each phase depends on the length of women's menstrual cycle. If their menstrual cycle is 28 days, the screening and run-in phase will take up to 59 days (slightly more than 2 menstrual cycles), the treatment phase 113 days (about 4 menstrual cycles), and the follow-up phase 28 days (1 menstrual cycle).

The main objective of this study is to determine if primary dysmenorrhea improves in women treated with Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 20 mg compared to placebo over a treatment duration of 3 menstrual cycles (cramping windows of Cycles 3-5).

Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 20 mg or placebo tablets are taken orally (means by mouth) once a day during the treatment phase.

If a patient usually takes pain relief medication for primary dysmenorrhea, the patient is allowed to continue taking this pain relief medication during study participation.

The patients will complete the dysmenorrhea daily diary (DysDD) every day in the evening. Depending on her bleeding status, the diary includes questions about menstrual bleeding, pieces of sanitary protection used, severity of the worst pain or cramps in the pelvic area on a numerical rating scale (NRS), intake of pain relief medication, and impact on daily life in an electronic diary (handheld device).

Additionally, the dysmenorrhea associated symptoms nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, weakness, fainting, and headache will be assessed by the patients on a NRS in the electronic diary on Days 1-3 of the menstrual cycle. Migraine will be assessed by the investigator at the clinical trial visits. The patient and investigator will assess the efficacy of treatment on a 5-point verbal rating scale at the end of treatment and at the end of the study (EoS).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
286
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Women aged 18-49 years who have the capacity for consenting

  2. Patient has been informed of the nature, scope, and relevance of the clinical trial, voluntary agrees in participation and the trial provisions, and has duly signed the approved informed consent form (ICF)

  3. Diagnosed primary dysmenorrhea

  4. If patients take pain relief medication for primary dysmenorrhea, this medication should be taken unchanged with regard to application form and kind of medication including strength during the Screening as well as during the first three treatment cycles.

    Note: Medication (drugs) for primary dysmenorrhea as mono- or combination therapy in form of tablets/capsules regularly used by the patient before Screening is allowed to be used as standard pain relief medication during the trial apart from non-medication methods. A complete list of allowed pain relief medication is attached to the protocol.

    This medication should be taken by the patient at least for 1 cycle before Screening guaranteeing a stable intake of this medication in total for 3 cycles before randomization.

  5. Patients with a regular menstrual cycle duration of ≥24 to ≤38 days

  6. Patients agreeing to use one of the following contraception methods throughout the trial:

    1. Bilateral tubal occlusion
    2. Vasectomized partner (provided that the partner is the sole sexual partner of the woman and has received medical assessment of the surgical success)
    3. Sexual abstinence Abstinence is only accepted as true abstinence when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the patient. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post-ovulation methods and withdrawal) is not an acceptable method of contraception
    4. Male or female condom with or without spermicide
    5. Cap, diaphragm, or sponge with spermicide
Exclusion Criteria

A patient will not be eligible for inclusion if any of the following criteria applies:

  1. Non-menstruating women
  2. Clinically diagnosed secondary dysmenorrhea (e.g., fibroids, uterine adenomyosis, endometriosis, pelvic inflammation, ovarian pathologies, or other pelvic diseases)
  3. Dysmenorrhea resulting from the use of an intrauterine device
  4. Use of hormonal contraceptives (oral, intravaginal, transdermal, injectable, implantable), intrauterine device, or intrauterine hormone-releasing system within 6 months prior to the trial and not willing to waive it during the entire trial period
  5. Any surgical treatments in the past (e.g., due to myoma) that may cause pain, adhesions or scarring in the lower abdomen Note: Further diagnostic examination (e.g., laparoscopy for differential diagnosis, exclusion of endometriosis) if deemed necessary by the investigator will be outside the trial protocol and reimbursement
  6. Known or suspected gastrointestinal or urological conditions that may cause abdominal and/or pelvic pain, such as colitis, appendicitis, irritable bowel syndrome, cholelithiasis, interstitial cystitis, cystitis, urolithiasis, and other conditions that, according to the investigator's judgement, are not suitable for the trial
  7. Known or suspected gynecological complaints e.g., premenstrual abdominal pain, deep dyspareunia, uterine fibroids and polyps, or chronic pain (abdominal, dorsal, urogenital)
  8. Known instable diseases e.g., psychiatric, cardiovascular, or endocrine disorders
  9. Body mass index <18.5 or >34.9 kg/m² at Screening
  10. Known or suspected acute infection of gonorrhea, syphilis and/or chlamydia at Screening
  11. Current or past estrogen sensitive cancer or pituitary disorder that, in the investigator's opinion, would make the patient not suitable for the trial
  12. Women who are breastfeeding, pregnant (positive pregnancy test at Screening), or planning to become pregnant during the trial
  13. Fewer than 3 menstrual cycles before Screening following delivery, abortion, miscarriage, or lactation
  14. Current severe physical or mental illness
  15. Patient does not agree to avoid daily smoking
  16. History of alcohol, drug, or medicine abuse within 1 year prior to Screening, or positive for drugs or medicines of abuse in the laboratory analysis performed at Screening
  17. Patients with hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption
  18. Hypersensitivity to Vitex agnus-castus, lactose or any of the excipients of the IMP or to any ingredients of the standard pain relief medication
  19. Patients committed to an institution by virtue of an order issued either by the judicial or the administrative authorities
  20. Employees of the sponsor or site staff or direct relatives of the site staff
  21. Legal incapacity or limited legal capacity
  22. Patients not able to follow trial instructions or assessments or to participate in the trial for the whole duration of approximately 7 months or unable to understand written and verbal instruction, in particular regarding the risks and inconveniences that the patients will be exposed to during participation in the clinical trial
  23. Participation in another interventional clinical trial during the last month before Screening
  24. Use of Vitex agnus-castus containing preparation or product within the last 3 months before Screening
  25. Current intake or intake within the last 4 weeks before Screening of dopamine agonists, dopamine antagonists, estrogens, or antiestrogens that would make the patient not suitable for the trial

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlacebo1 tablet once daily for about 4 menstrual cycles (cramping windows of Cycles 3-6) (i.e., 113 days in case of a 28-day menstrual cycle).
Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 (20 mg)Vitex agnus-castus BNO 1095 (20 mg)1 tablet once daily for about 4 menstrual cycles (cramping windows of Cycles 3-6) (i.e., 113 days in case of a 28-day menstrual cycle).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Proportion of patients who respond to treatment defined as: a) a ≥3-point reduction in the peak pelvic pain score and b) no increase in the number of standard pain relief medicationChange from Baseline (28 days prior to randomization) to the cramping window of Cycle No. 5 (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

Response to treatment will be determined by comparing the peak pelvic pain score (using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS, scale ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 10 (extreme severity of symptom) of the dysmenorrhea daily diary (DysDD) assessments) made during the cramping window of Cycle 5 with those made at Baseline and by comparing the assessments of number of tablets or capsules of standard pain relief medication taken during the cramping window of Cycle 5 with those taken at Baseline.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Proportion of patients who respond to treatment defined as: a) a ≥3-point reduction in the peak pelvic pain score and b) no increase in the number of standard pain relief medication in the cramping window of Cycles 3, 4, and 6 compared to BaselineChange from Baseline (28 days prior to randomization) to the cramping windows of Cycles No. 3, 4 and 6 (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

Response to treatment will be determined by comparing the peak pelvic pain score (using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS, scale ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 10 (extreme severity of symptom) of the dysmenorrhea daily diary (DysDD) assessments) made during the cramping window of Cycles No. 3, 4 and 6 with those made at Baseline and by comparing the assessments of number of tablets or capsules of standard pain relief medication taken during the cramping window of Cycles No. 3, 4 and 6 with those taken at Baseline.

Assessment of change of peak pelvic pain scoreChange from Baseline (28 days prior to randomization) to the cramping windows of Cycles No. 3, 4, 5 and 6) (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The peak pelvic pain score will be assessed using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS, scale ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 10 (extreme severity of symptom)) of the dysmenorrhea daily diary (DysDD) assessments and compared to Baseline.

Assessment of the sum of the pelvic pain scoresAt the cramping windows of Cycles No. 3, 4 and 5 (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The pelvic pain scores assessed during the cramping windows (4 days) of Cycles 3, 4, and 5 (i.e., 12 assessments in total) using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS; scale ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 10 (extreme severity of symptom)) of the dysmenorrhea daily diary (DysDD) will be summed up.

Proportion of patients with a ≥3-point reduction in the peak pelvic pain score and a decrease in the number of standard pain relief medicationChange from Baseline (28 days prior to randomization) to the cramping windows of Cycles No. 3, 4, 5 and 6) (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The ≥3-point reduction in the peak pelvic pain score using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS; scale ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 10 (extreme severity of symptom)) of the dysmenorrhea daily diary (DysDD) will be assessed and the amount of standard pain relief medication taken will be evaluated to investigate the efficacy of the study drug.

Proportion of patients with a peak pelvic pain score of "0" or "1" and no use of standard pain relief medicationAt the cramping windows of Cycles No. 3, 4, 5 and 6) (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

Peak pelvic pain score of "0" or "1" using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS; scale ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 10 (extreme severity of symptom)) of the dysmenorrhea daily diary (DysDD) and no use of standard pain relief medication during the cramping window of Cycles 3, 4, 5, and 6 will be evaluated.

Assessment of the change of the sum of the pelvic pain scoresChange from Baseline (28 days prior to randomization) to the cramping windows of Cycles No. 3, 4, 5 and 6) (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The pelvic pain scores assessed during the cramping window using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS, scale ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 10 (extreme severity of symptom)) of the dysmenorrhea daily diary (DysDD) assessments will be summed up per cycle and compared to Baseline.

Assessment of the change in the number of days with pelvic painChange from Baseline (28 days prior to randomization) to the cramping windows of Cycles No. 3, 4, 5 and 6) (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The number of days with pelvic pain will be calculated as sum of the days with a pelvic pain above 0 on the 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS, scale ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 10 (extreme severity of symptom)) during the respective cramping window and compared to Baseline.

Assessment of change in the number of standard pain relief medication takenAt the cramping window of Cycles No. 5 and 6 (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The number of standard pain relief medication will be calculated as sum of tablets/capsules taken during the cramping window. The change from cramping window of Cycle 5 to cramping window of Cycle 6 will be analyzed.

Assessment of change in the number of days with use of standard pain relief medicationChange from Baseline (28 days prior to randomization) to the cramping windows of Cycles No. 3, 4, 5 and 6) (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The number of days with use of standard pain relief medication will be calculated as sum of days with intake of standard pain relief medication during the respective cramping window and compared to Baseline.

Assessment of change in the impact on the patient's daily lifeChange from Baseline (28 days prior to randomization) to the cramping windows of Cycles No. 3, 4, 5 and 6) (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The impact of pelvic pain or cramps on the patient's daily life including paid work, work around the home, or school work will be assessed on a 5-point scale being part of the dysmenorrhea daily diary (DysDD) assessments (0=not at all, 1=slightly, 2=moderately, 3=quite a bit, 4=extremely). The assessments made during each cramping window will be summed up.

The impact on physical activities, social or leisure activities, and sleep will be analyzed analogously. The missed time of paid work, work around the home, or school work will be summed up for the cramping window and tabulated by treatment group and cycle.

Investigator's and patient's overall assessment of efficacy using a 5-point verbal rating scaleVisits 4 (Day 85) and 5 (Day 113)

The treatment efficacy will be assessed by the investigator and the patient using a 5-point verbal rating scale with the following 5 categories: very good, good, moderate, poor, very poor.

Proportion of patients with no use of standard pain relief medicationAt the cramping window of Cycle No. 6 (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The number of patients who did not use any standard pain relief medication will be determined.

The analysis will be performed for all patients as well as for the subgroup of patients who took any standard pain relief medication during the cramping window of Cycle 5.

Assessment of change in the intensity of menstrual bleedingChange from Baseline (28 days prior to randomization) to the cramping windows of Cycles No. 3, 4, 5 and 6) (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The intensity of the menstrual bleeding will be assessed on a 5-point scale (0=no bleeding, 1=very light bleeding or spotting, 2=light bleeding, 3=moderate bleeding, 4=heavy bleeding). The assessments made during each cramping window will be summed up.

Assessment of change in the number of pieces of sanitary protection usedChange from Baseline (28 days prior to randomization) to the cramping windows of Cycles No. 3, 4, 5 and 6) (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The number of pieces of sanitary protection used will be assessed on a 4-point scale (0=0, 1=1 piece, 2=2 pieces, 3=3 or more pieces). The assessments made during Day 1 to Day 3 of the cramping window will be summed up.

Proportion of patients with migraineAt Baseline (28 days prior to randomization) and Visits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (i.e., Days 1, 29, 57, 85, 113 and 141)

The number of patients with migraine will be determined. The chance of patients having a migraine episode since the last clinical trial visit will be analyzed.

Assessment of change in the severity of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, weakness, fainting, and headache on a numeric rating scale (NRS)Change from Baseline (28 days prior to randomization) to the Days 1-3 of Cycles No. 3, 4, 5 and 6 (each cycle is 28 days).

The analysis is based on the peak NRS score of days 1, 2, and 3 per cycle (11-point NRS scale ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 10 (extreme severity of symptom)).

Assessment of relative change in the peak pelvic pain scoreAt the cramping window of Cycles No. 5 and 6 (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The relative change in peak pelvic pain score using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS, scale ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 10 (extreme severity of symptom) of the dysmenorrhea daily diary (DysDD) assessments) from cramping window of Cycle 5 to cramping window of Cycle 6 will be analyzed.

Assessment of change in the peak pelvic pain scoreAt the cramping windows of Cycles No. 5 and 6 (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The change in peak pelvic pain score using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS, scale ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 10 (extreme severity of symptom) of the dysmenorrhea daily diary (DysDD) assessments) from cramping window of Cycle 5 to cramping window of Cycle 6 will be analyzed.

Assessment of relative change in the number of standard pain relief medication takenAt the cramping window of Cycles No. 5 and 6 (each cycle is 28 days). The cramping window is defined as Days -1 to 3 of a menstrual cycle (i.e., 4 days in total).

The number of standard pain relief medication will be calculated as sum of tablets/capsules taken during the cramping window. The relative change from cramping window of Cycle 5 to cramping window of Cycle 6 will be analyzed.

Trial Locations

Locations (34)

Centrum Badawcze Panaceum Agnieszka Brzezicka, Magdalena Lenkiewicz Sp. z o.o.

🇵🇱

Malbork, Poland

Karolinska University Hospital, WHO-centre

🇸🇪

Stockholm, Sweden

Klinische Forschung Hamburg GmbH

🇩🇪

Hamburg, Germany

Frauenarzt-Praxis Dr. med. Klaus Peters

🇩🇪

Hamburg, Germany

Klinische Forschung Hannover Mitte GmbH

🇩🇪

Hannover, Germany

Klinische Forschung Karlsruhe GmbH

🇩🇪

Karlsruhe, Germany

Klinische Forschung Schwerin GmbH

🇩🇪

Schwerin, Germany

Frauenarzt in Stolberg - Wolfgang Clemens

🇩🇪

Stolberg, Germany

Clinexpert Kft.

🇭🇺

Budapest, Hungary

Óbudai Egészségügyi Centrum Kft.

🇭🇺

Budapest, Hungary

Zatik Med Kft.

🇭🇺

Debrecen, Hungary

BKS Research Kft.

🇭🇺

Hatvan, Hungary

AXON Kereskedelmi Es Szolgaltato Kft.

🇭🇺

Kecskemét, Hungary

IPR Hungary Kft.

🇭🇺

Miskolc, Hungary

Silmedic Sp. z o.o.

🇵🇱

Katowice, Poland

Centrum Medyczne Mikołowska dr Adam Sipiński

🇵🇱

Katowice, Poland

Nzoz Profi-Med

🇵🇱

Lublin, Poland

Klinische Forschung Dresden GmbH

🇩🇪

Dresden, Germany

Praxis Geseke

🇩🇪

Geseke, Germany

Frauenarztpraxis Dr. Inka Kiesche

🇩🇪

Halle, Germany

Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Department Frauenheilkunde, Universitätsklinik für Gynäkologische Endokrinologie und Reproduktionsmedizin

🇦🇹

Innsbruck, Austria

Medizinische Universität Wien, Universitätsklinik für Frauenheilkunde, Klinische Abteilung für Gynäkologische Endokrinologie und Reproduktionsmedizin

🇦🇹

Wien, Austria

Fakultní nemocnice Brno, Gynekologickoporodnická Klinika, Centrum asistované reprodukce CAR 01 Brno

🇨🇿

Brno Střed, Czechia

GYNEKOLOGIE CHEB s.r.o.

🇨🇿

Cheb, Czechia

Centrum ambulantní gynekologie a primární péče s.r.o.

🇨🇿

Brno Střed, Czechia

NEUMED gynekologická ambulance s.r.o

🇨🇿

Olomouc, Czechia

MUDr. Martina Marešová Rosenbergová s.r.o.

🇨🇿

Plzen, Czechia

Gyncare MUDr. Michael Švec s.r.o.

🇨🇿

Plzeň 2-Slovany, Czechia

Centrum gynekologické rehabilitace s.r.o

🇨🇿

Písek, Czechia

Praxis Dr. Noel

🇩🇪

Aachen, Germany

Klinische Forschung Berlin-Mitte GmbH

🇩🇪

Berlin, Germany

Frauenarztpraxis Dipl. med. Andrea Heweker, Praxis für Gynäkologie

🇩🇪

Bernburg, Germany

Państwowy Instytut Medyczny Ministerstwa Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji, Klinika Położnictwa, Chorób Kobiecych i Ginekologii Onkologicznej

🇵🇱

Warszawa, Poland

Umeå University, Dep. of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology

🇸🇪

Umeå, Sweden

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