Lupus drug hydroxychloroquine tested as COVID-19 shield

NCT ID NCT04481633

Completed Prevention Sponsor: University Hospital, Toulouse Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 11, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This completed study looked at whether lupus patients already taking hydroxychloroquine long-term had a lower risk of catching COVID-19 or developing severe symptoms. Researchers compared 552 patients who either took the drug or did not, using blood tests and questionnaires. The goal was to see if the drug offered any real-world protection during the pandemic.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Hydroxychloroquine
What this could lead to: If it works, this could suggest that hydroxychloroquine helps protect people with autoimmune diseases from COVID-19 infection or severe illness.
What could go wrong: This is an observational study, not a controlled trial, so it cannot prove cause and effect. Results may not apply to the general population, and earlier studies on hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 showed mixed or no benefit.

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.

autoimmune hepatitis primary biliary cholangitis Sjogren syndrome systemic lupus erythematosus COVID-19 prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

COVID-19

Contacts and locations

Locations

Haut-Lévêque Hospital - Gastro-entérologie

Pessac, 33604, France
Haut-Lévêque Hospital - Médecine interne

Pessac, 33604, France
Joseph Ducuing Hospital - Médecine interne

Toulouse, 31027, France
Limoges university Hospital

Limoges, 87042, France
Montpellier University Hospital

Montpellier, 31295, France
Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital - Hépatologie

Paris, 75651, France
Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital - Médecine interne

Paris, 75651, France
Toulouse University Hospital

Toulouse, 31059, France
Toulouse University Hospital - Rhumatologie

Toulouse, 31059, France
Toulouse university Hospital - Larrey Dermatologie

Toulouse, 31059, France
University Hospital of Toulouse - Rangueil Médecine interne

Toulouse, 31059, France
University hospital Toulouse - Purpan Médecine interne

Toulouse, 31059, France

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