Washout period
A gap with no treatment, so the previous one clears your system.
Learning
What it means
A washout period is a stretch of time when a participant takes no study treatment, allowing the effects of a previous treatment to wear off before the next begins.
Why it matters if you take part
It can mean a period without the medicine you were taking. What that involves and how long it lasts should be explained during consent, and is worth raising with your own doctor.
Related terms
This explains how clinical research works. It is not medical advice and does not describe any specific condition or treatment. Only a trial site can determine whether someone can take part in a study.