Comparator
In Running the trial
Also known as: active comparator, active control
A comparator is whatever the investigational treatment is measured against. It may be a placebo, an existing standard treatment, or a different dose of the same product. Where an effective treatment already exists, an active comparator is often required for the results to be meaningful.
Example
A new antibiotic is compared with the antibiotic already recommended in treatment guidelines, rather than with a placebo, because leaving an infection untreated would be unsafe.
Related terms
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