Can a common malaria drug stop lupus before it starts?
NCT ID NCT03030118
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested whether hydroxychloroquine, a drug already used for lupus, could slow or prevent the disease in 187 people who had early signs but not full lupus. Participants received either the drug or a placebo for up to two years. Researchers tracked lupus symptoms, immune markers, and side effects to see if early treatment could delay progression.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Hydroxychloroquine (also known as Plaquenil)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a way to prevent or delay lupus in people who show early signs of the disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage trial with 187 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Hydroxychloroquine can cause side effects like stomach upset or eye problems, and it may not slow lupus progression.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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
Locations
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Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States
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Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
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Northwell Health
Great Neck, New York, 11021, United States
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Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States
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Penn State MS Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States
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UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
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University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States
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