Cheap drug could tame Leprosy's painful Flare-Ups

NCT ID NCT03775460

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether adding methotrexate to standard steroid treatment can help people with a painful leprosy complication called ENL. 550 adults with active ENL will receive either methotrexate or a placebo alongside prednisolone. The goal is to see if methotrexate reduces the need for extra steroids over 48 weeks.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
methotrexate
What this could lead to
If it works, this could provide a cheap, widely available treatment to control ENL flares and reduce reliance on steroids.
What could go wrong
This is a large trial, but methotrexate may not reduce steroid needs as hoped. Side effects of methotrexate include liver and lung issues.

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

  • ALERT

    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

  • Anandaban Hospital

    Kathmandu, Nepal

  • Bombay Leprosy Project

    Mumbai, India

  • FIOCRUZ

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • Soetomo Hospital

    Surabaya, Indonesia

  • TMLI Bangladesh/ DBLM hospital

    Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • The Leprosy Mission Trust

    Delhi, India

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