Thoughts from a Lab Rat

I think I’ve touched on this topic a few times but I’m too lazy to research the last time. As if it’s that difficult to look it up. Anyhow, I’ve got a few people asking about it.
What is a washout?
It’s a period of time where one does not do something. In this case, it’s a period of time where you don’t do another clinical research study. Each clinic operates in a slightly different manner but for the most part, you must wait a minimum of 30 days between investigational drug studies. More specifically, it depends on the type of study you have done and the next study you plan on doing. Most drugs carry a 30 day washout. Certain studies such as radiolabel studies carry a one year washout before you can do another radiolabel study but usually a 30 day washout for a non-radiolabel study.
When does the washout period begin?
Well, each clinic and sponsor will decide. There are two possible scenarios. It may go based on the last dosing of the drug or it may go based on the last participation date of the study which means out-patient and or phone call. Again, this depends on the clinic and or sponsor of the next study you participate in.
Who is responsible for enforcing washouts?
Why that would be you! I recommend keeping a log of the studies you participate in, the dates and the drugs involved. It’s good information to have in order to make sure you don’t violate the washout rules and to make sure you don’t do the same study twice. Most sponsors do not allow participants to do the same study drug more than once. While they will eventually figure it out, it’s better to avoid it all together when you are researching studies to participate in.

Doing studies can be a great source of income and some people like to do as many studies as they possibly can. Every clinic has a designated ‘washout’ period in which you are not allowed to do studies. The standard is 30 days from the last dose unless otherwise specified in the informed consent. Some types of drugs may require longer washouts. In the US, there is no universal monitoring system in place due to the confidentiality of each clinic. Therefore, it is up to you to ‘police’ yourself and make sure you are obeying your washouts. There may be consequences from doing studies back to back. Drug interaction of course, is the main concern. Also, your blood supply needs replenishing and your veins need time to heal. Just Another Lab Rat! highly recommends that if you are one of those who does studies back to back without obeying the 30 washout period, that you stop doing so. You may never get caught but you may be skewing the results of subsequent studies by not having a clinically clean bill of health. Again, I cannot stress this enough, clinics and sponsors are paying you to use your clean body and for you to follow all study parameters. It’s just like buying a car from someone who knows that there is a problem with the transmission but they fail to tell you. I’m sure you would like the honest truth from the car seller. So does the clinics and the sponsors but ultimately, the people who will eventually benefit from the drug.