Grant: Project Grant

Background and aim: We think we have found a drug, atomoxetine, that should work based on a human laboratory model of fainting. However, this needs testing in lots of people who faint. We have already shown that it works in carefully controlled test environments, using doses widely used for treating attention deficit disorders. The study: We will ask 180 people who faint distressingly often to help us with the study. If they agree each one will get both the atomoxetine and dummy pill for up to 6 months each for comparison. Whether they get atomoxetine or dummy will be by chance, and no-one will know which one until the study ends. When finished, we will compare the effectiveness of the two, look at their costs, see how people feel about them, and at how we can quickly teach other doctors about using it. Patient engagement: We will be working together - patients, doctors, researchers, pharmaceutical industry - in some really new ways. Patients on the Steering Committee have provided advice on the study design and conduct to focus on issues important to the patients. Patients are involved right from the start. We will also do "exit interviews" to better understand the patient experience with both the randomized trial and atomoxetine that may inform future knowledge translation and dissemination efforts. Importance of the project: This interesting project could help many Canadians who faint repeatedly. Unfortunately, even after decades of research, we have no good treatment for frequent fainting. Atomoxetine, a drug already approved for attention deficit disorder, shows high promise to address this problem. Expected impact: By the time we are finished, we may have at least one treatment that we know works, and a new use for an old drug for a common problem, and which is made by the Canadian drug manufacturer (Apotex).