Could a common antibiotic slash deaths from brain TB?
NCT ID NCT06446245
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial tests whether adding the antibiotic doxycycline to standard treatment can reduce deaths and severe brain damage in adults with tuberculosis of the brain or its lining. About 200 participants will receive either doxycycline or a placebo for 8 weeks, alongside usual TB drugs and steroids. The study builds on earlier work showing doxycycline may calm harmful inflammation in TB.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- doxycycline
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a cheap, widely available add-on treatment to lower the high death and disability rates from brain tuberculosis.
- What could go wrong
- This is a mid-stage trial with only 200 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Doxycycline can cause side effects like sun sensitivity and stomach upset.
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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Adam Malik Hospital
RECRUITINGMedan, Medan, Indonesia
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Murni Teguh Memorial Hospital
RECRUITINGMedan, Indonesia
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National University Hospital
RECRUITINGSingapore, Singapore, 119228, Singapore
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Sarawak General Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGKuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
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Tan Tock Seng Hospital
RECRUITINGSingapore, Singapore
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Universitas Sumatera Utara
RECRUITINGMedan, Medan, Indonesia