Could a week of antibiotics stop joint infections after replacement surgery?
NCT ID NCT04297592
First seen Jul 06, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether taking a 7-day course of oral antibiotics after hip or knee replacement surgery can prevent joint infections in patients at higher risk due to conditions like obesity, diabetes, or autoimmune disease. About 4,600 participants will receive one of three antibiotics (cephalexin, doxycycline, or cefadroxil) or a placebo. The goal is to see if this simple preventive step reduces infections and wound complications.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Cephalexin, Doxycycline, or Cefadroxil
- What this could lead to
- If effective, a short course of oral antibiotics could reduce the risk of serious joint infections after hip or knee replacement in people with conditions like diabetes or obesity.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 4 trial, so the drugs are already approved, but the specific benefit in this high-risk group is unproven. Antibiotics can cause side effects like allergic reactions or diarrhea, and overuse may contribute to antibiotic resistance.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, 55902, United States
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University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
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