CHARLOTTE, NC
Chronic Constipation Clinical Trials
1 study is enrolling for chronic constipation near Charlotte NC right now. Notably, it runs at three sites and it publishes its full visit schedule, which most do not. You may be compensated for your time, and no insurance is needed.
1
Open Near Charlotte
3
Research Sites
+/- $100
Per Visit
New here? Read how this page works
First, which of the three diagnoses you have decides everything here, and most people have never been told which one they carry. So here is the order to work through.
- Work out which of the three diagnoses you have. Because plain chronic constipation, the irritable bowel version and the opioid version go to completely different studies.
- Ask whether pain is part of your picture. Notably, that is the dividing line, and the study here rules out anyone with any type of irritable bowel syndrome.
- Ask whether anorectal testing is warranted. In fact, if your pelvic floor muscles tighten instead of relaxing, laxatives will never fix it and biofeedback is the treatment.
- Finally, tap the button. Then we check you against every study we track and tell you when a new one opens.
Of course, checking never signs you up for anything. You are only seeing where you might fit.
The Study Enrolling Near Charlotte Right Now
It is open today. So check your eligibility, or read the full record on ClinicalTrials.gov.
The one study open here
It runs at three sites across the northern arc of the metro. However, any type of irritable bowel syndrome rules you out.
An Approved Drug, Tested for a New Group
Ardelyx / Late stage tablet
Tenapanor is already approved, but only for the constipation type of irritable bowel syndrome. This study tests it for ordinary chronic constipation instead. It is a tablet taken twice a day for 26 weeks. Three dose levels are compared against a dummy. So if it works, it becomes a fourth kind of option rather than a repeat of the others.
Payment is not published.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: the drug works by a completely different route from the usual laxatives. Meanwhile, people who have run through the standard options often have nowhere else to go.
Who this study is looking for
- Age 18 to 80
- Also, meets the Rome criteria for functional constipation
- Besides that, able and willing to use a daily electronic diary
- Finally, meets the stool thresholds during a two week screening diary
Probably not a fit if: any type of irritable bowel syndrome rules you out. That includes the constipation type, which surprises people. Also, loose stools more than a quarter of the time, or a blocked bowel in the past six months.
- Placebo group: Yes. There are four groups, three doses and a dummy, so roughly a one in four chance.
- How long: About 32 weeks in total. That is two weeks of screening, 26 of treatment and four of follow up.
- Clinic visits: Ten visits across about 32 weeks, at weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 26 plus screening and follow up.
- Phone calls: Not published on the public record.
- Most invasive part: Two weeks of screening with nothing to help you. Also, a daily diary throughout. However, no camera test is needed.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: DelRicht Research, Charlotte NC 28210; Accellacare, Salisbury NC 28144; Accellacare of Piedmont, Statesville NC 28625.
- Drive from Charlotte: Sites sit in south Charlotte, at Salisbury and at Statesville, so one is likely close to you.
- Screening is the hard part. You come off your usual laxatives first. So a good fortnight can screen you out.
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Not sure which one fits you?
First, answer a few quick health questions. Then we check you against every study we track. Also, no account and no paperwork.
See if I may fit one of these studies →What Is Actually Changing in Chronic Constipation
The 2023 guideline was the first to name magnesium oxide and senna as evidence based options.
There Are At Least Three Different Diagnoses Here
The plain kind means no cause was found. The irritable bowel kind means pain is part of it. The opioid kind means a painkiller is causing it. So which one you have decides which studies will even look at you.
Pain Is the Dividing Line
If belly pain is a regular part of it, that points to the irritable bowel version. If it is not, that points to plain chronic constipation. Notably, the same person cannot qualify for both kinds of study. In fact, the study on this page rules out anybody with any type of irritable bowel syndrome.
Normal Is Wider Than People Think
Three times a day to three times a week all count as normal. So daily is not the target, and chasing it causes needless worry. Instead, judge it on straining, hardness and whether you feel finished. Also, those are what the studies actually measure.
Learn the Bristol Stool Scale By Name
It is a seven point picture chart of stool form, and it is how studies classify you. Types one and two are the constipated end. Meanwhile, the terms you will see in a study are bowel movement, spontaneous bowel movement and complete spontaneous bowel movement. So the third one is the real target.
Some People Have a Muscle Problem, Not a Transit Problem
In one type, the pelvic floor muscles tighten when they should relax. So laxatives do very little, because nothing is stuck higher up. It is found with a pressure test and a balloon test. In fact, the treatment is biofeedback rather than any drug on this page.
Opioids Are a Separate Problem Entirely
If you take opioids regularly, this is opioid induced constipation and it needs its own studies. The body never gets used to that effect, so it does not fade with time. Also, there is a dedicated drug class for it that other constipation drugs do not match.
Senna and Magnesium Finally Got Their Evidence
The 2023 joint guideline was the first to name magnesium oxide and senna as evidence based options. That matters, because the old warning that stimulant laxatives cause dependency has not held up. Meanwhile, the standard powder laxative is cheap, safe and it works, so it is still first line.
Tenapanor: A Fourth Route If It Works
Most prescription options either draw water in through one channel or speed the gut up. Tenapanor blocks a sodium exchanger instead, which changes how fluid moves. So it is a different mechanism rather than another version of the same one. However, it is currently approved only for the irritable bowel version.
Cost Is Part of the Decision
As William Chey has pointed out, several of these drugs are still brand name only. So what you pay, and what your plan will cover, are real parts of the choice. Meanwhile, that is one honest reason a study can be worth considering.
Chronic Constipation Help Near You
Start by naming which of the three diagnoses fits you. Ask whether anorectal testing is warranted, because a muscle problem will not answer to laxatives. Also, ask for a TSH and a calcium level, and have your medicine list reviewed. Generally, your own doctor can arrange all of this.
Research Sites Near Charlotte
Three research sites carry this study, in south Charlotte, at Salisbury and at Statesville. But sites add new studies all the time, so it is worth knowing what sits near you.
Atrium Health
Multiple Charlotte locations / 161+ active studies
Crohn’s, Heart Failure, COPD, Dementia, Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension
Charlotte’s biggest health system. It is tied to Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Also, it runs far more trials than anyone else nearby.
Visit Website →
American Health Research Network
Ballantyne, NC 28277 / 25 to 30+ active studies
Asthma, COPD, Chronic Cough, Type 2 Diabetes
Led by Dr. Selwyn Spangenthal. It is the biggest private lung research group in Charlotte. Specifically, it has 4 offices: Charlotte, Rock Hill, Lake Norman, and Charleston.
Visit Website →
Monroe Biomedical Research
Monroe, NC / 17+ active studies
Asthma, COPD, Hypertension, Obesity, Ulcerative Colitis
Notably, one of the 5 busiest research sites in the country. Its 6,300 sq ft space can host overnight stays. It is also an SCRS Global Impact Partner.
Visit Website →
Clinical Research of Gastonia
Gastonia, NC / 11+ active studies
Asthma, COPD, Chronic Cough, Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Led by Dr. Anup Banerjee. Its 3,500 sq ft space sits next to CaroMont Regional Medical Center. Also, it has been running for over 10 years.
Visit Website →
OnSite Clinical Solutions
Ballantyne, NC 28277 / 10+ active studies
Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s, COPD, Heart Failure, Atopic Dermatitis
It works with Charlotte doctors in heart, gut, skin, nerve, and joint care. Besides, it runs studies from Phase I through Phase IV.
Visit Website →
Flourish Research
Matthews, NC 28105 / 4+ active studies
Alzheimer’s Disease, Early Alzheimer’s, Alzheimer’s-Related Psychosis
Led by Dr. M. Reza Bolouri. He has 20+ years in Alzheimer’s research. The site is an Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence. In fact, its network has finished 5,500+ trials.
Visit Website →
New Hope Clinical Research
SouthPark, NC 28211 / 4+ active studies
Major Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder
Led by Dr. Kurian Abraham. It runs Phase I through IV studies and has 30 beds for overnight stays. Its last FDA audit came back clean. Also, it has finished 200+ brain studies.
Visit Website →
Queen City Clinical Research
SouthPark, NC 28211 / 2+ active studies
Chronic Pain, Chronic Migraine, Osteoarthritis
Led by Dr. Leonardo Kapural, a former Cleveland Clinic professor. Notably, he has written 200+ journal articles. On top of that, many call this the biggest pain research site in the country.
Visit Website →
Novant Health
Multiple Charlotte locations / Several active studies
Cardiovascular Disease, Obesity, Hypertension
One of the biggest health systems in the Carolinas. Its Heart and Vascular Institute runs heart studies and sees a lot of patients.
Visit Website →
DLVSC
4 Charlotte-area offices / 1+ active studies
Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea
Led by Dr. Gilly Munavalli. This award-winning skin practice owns 50+ FDA-approved lasers and devices. Also, it has its own research team.
Visit Website →
DelRicht Research
South Charlotte, NC 28210 / 1+ active studies
Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar Depression
Part of a national network of mental health research sites. Currently, it runs the azetukalner bipolar depression trial in Charlotte. Previously, it ran other mental health studies.
Visit Website →
TMS of the Carolinas
South Charlotte, NC 28210 / 1+ active studies
Major Depression, Treatment-Resistant Depression
A specialty site for brain stimulation care. It runs the fast TMS study that packs 6 weeks into 2.
Visit Website →What to Expect in a Constipation Study
New to studies? Here is how one works, step by step.
01
Prescreening
First comes a short phone call or online form. Also, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The staff check whether you might fit. Then they tell you what is open.
02
Screening Visit
Next the clinic runs the tests that decide it, which usually means blood work. Also, they go through the consent form line by line, and you can bring somebody with you.
03
Treatment Period
Then the study begins. So you take the study drug or the placebo on the agreed schedule. Meanwhile, your own doctor keeps managing everything else.
04
Follow-Up
Finally, there is a check in period at the end. Also, your own doctor gets the results, and you can stop at any point without affecting your care.
Chronic Constipation Trial FAQs
Real answers about chronic constipation studies near Charlotte NC.
Is there a study for this near Charlotte?
Yes, one is open, and it runs at three sites, in south Charlotte, at Salisbury and at Statesville. It tests an approved drug for a group it is not yet approved for. Notably, it publishes its full visit schedule, which is ten visits across about 32 weeks. However, any type of irritable bowel syndrome rules you out, including the constipation type.
Which kind of constipation do I have?
There are at least three, and it decides everything. The plain kind means no cause was found. The irritable bowel kind means pain is part of it. Finally, the opioid kind means a painkiller is causing it. Notably, the same person cannot qualify for both of the first two kinds of study.
Will I get a dummy?
Yes, that is possible, and here the odds are actually published. There are four groups, which are three doses and a dummy. So that is roughly a one in four chance. Also, it is one of the few studies on our site that publishes its visit schedule too.
Do I have to stop my laxatives?
Yes, for a two week screening period, and that is the hardest part of joining. The point is measuring your baseline without anything helping. However, the exact list of what you must stop is not published, so ask the clinic for it. Notably, if your bowels behave better than usual that fortnight, you can screen out.
How often is normal?
Anywhere from three times a day to three times a week. So daily is not the target, and chasing it causes needless worry. Instead, judge it on straining, hardness and whether you feel finished. In fact, those are what the studies actually measure.
What if laxatives never work for me?
Then ask about your pelvic floor, because that is a different problem. In some people the muscles tighten when they should relax, so nothing is stuck higher up. It is found with anorectal manometry and a balloon expulsion test. Notably, the treatment is biofeedback rather than any drug.
Are stimulant laxatives really harmful?
The old warning about dependency has not held up. The 2023 joint guideline named senna and magnesium oxide as evidence based options. Meanwhile, polyethylene glycol remains cheap, safe and effective, and it is still first line. So a laxative is a reasonable starting point rather than a last resort.
What if I take opioids?
Then you need an opioid constipation study rather than this one. The body never gets used to that effect, so it does not fade with time. Also, there is a dedicated drug class for it that other constipation drugs do not match. So say early that you take them, because it changes which studies fit.
Does it cost anything to check?
No. There is no cost, and no insurance is needed. Tether is a nonprofit list, so we do not run studies and we are not paid to send you anywhere. Also, checking never enrolls anyone in anything. You would always call the clinic yourself.
Where can I get help near Charlotte NC?
Atrium Health and Novant Health both run digestive services across the metro. Also, ask for a gut specialist, and ask whether pressure testing is available if laxatives have never worked for you. Generally, your own doctor can check your thyroid, your calcium and your medicine list first. Meanwhile, those three explain a good share of stubborn constipation.
Ready to Explore a Study?
Check your eligibility, or just reach out to our Charlotte team. No pressure. Also, no sales pitch.
← Back to All Clinical TrialsSources
- Tenapanor study record, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07382167
- ACG and AGA: the care guideline, with comment from Lin Chang, MD
- Healio: on opioid related cases, with comment from Seth Crockett, MD
Study details and per-site recruiting status verified against ClinicalTrials.gov on August 16, 2026. Each site row was read individually. The exact list of laxatives and other medicines you must stop before screening is not published on the public record, so ask the clinic for it directly. Study availability and criteria change; the research clinic confirms everything before you enroll.