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An Effectiveness and Safety Study of Acetaminophen Extended Release Caplets in Treating Muscle Aches and Soreness That Occur After a Marathon Race

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating Acetaminophen Extended Release Caplets (3900 mg/Day) in the Treatment of Post-Race Muscle Aching and Pain (Soreness)

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00240851
Enrollment
665
Registered
2005-10-18
Start date
Unknown
Completion date
2004-02-29
Last updated
2015-06-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pain

Keywords

muscle ache, pain, soreness, acetaminophen

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of acetaminophen extended release caplets to placebo in treating the muscle aching and pain (soreness) that occurs after a marathon.

Detailed description

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to compare the effectiveness and safety of acetaminophen and placebo in treating muscle aching and pain (soreness) that occurs in subjects who complete a marathon. Subjects are randomized to receive acetaminophen extended release caplets, 3900 mg/day (two 650 mg caplets taken three times a day, for four days) or placebo (two placebo caplets taken three times a day, for four days). The primary measurement of efficacy is the average change from baseline in muscle soreness, on Day 1, the day of the marathon. Safety assessments consist of monitoring adverse events, and a physical examination at the screening visit, including vital signs, weight, a medical history review, and a urine pregnancy test for females of childbearing potential. The hypothesis of the study is that acetaminophen is more effective than placebo in the relief of post-race muscle aching and pain (soreness) score on the evening of the race. Two acetaminophen 650 mg extended release caplets, taken by mouth, three times a day over a four day period or two placebo caplets, taken by mouth, three times a day over a four day period.

Interventions

Sponsors

McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals, a Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Johnson & Johnson Consumer and Personal Products Worldwide
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients must be able to comply with the study schedule * be able to swallow the study medication * complete the marathon * not take any analgesics after completing the marathon and before their eligibility to participate in the study has been determined * rate their muscle soreness at least a 4, on a 0 - 10 point scale

Exclusion criteria

* Previous diagnosis of osteoarthritis * currently have or have had a medical condition that may be relevant in one's eligibility to participate in the study * known hypersensitivity to acetaminophen * unable to understand or follow the instructions for the study * taken any investigational medication within 30 days of the marathon

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
The average change from baseline in muscle soreness on Day 1

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Average change from baseline in muscle soreness for both morning and evening assessments, combined and separately; Average ratings of interference with 1) sleep, 2) daily activity, and 3) ability to go for a run

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026