Cholesterol drug tested to stop dangerous pregnancy complication

NCT ID NCT03944512

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether the cholesterol-lowering drug pravastatin could prevent preeclampsia in women who had a previous early preterm delivery due to the condition. The trial planned to enroll 1,550 women but was terminated early with only 102 participants. Because it stopped early, the results are not strong enough to draw clear conclusions about whether pravastatin helps or is safe in pregnancy.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Pravastatin (a statin drug, typically used for cholesterol)

What this could lead to

If it had worked, this could have pointed toward a way to prevent preeclampsia in women at high risk, potentially saving lives and preventing complications.

What could go wrong

The trial was terminated early with only 102 participants instead of the planned 1,550, so results are very limited and not reliable. Statins are generally not recommended in pregnancy due to safety concerns.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

hypertension, pregnancy-induced Obstetric Labor Complications preeclampsia prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Brown University

    Providence, Rhode Island, 02905, United States

  • Case Western Reserve-Metro Health

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44109, United States

  • Columbia University

    New York, New York, 10032, United States

  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

  • Magee Women's Hospital of UPMC

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

  • Northwestern University

    Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

  • Ohio State University Hospital

    Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States

  • University of Alabama - Birmingham

    Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States

  • University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

  • University of Texas - Houston

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

  • University of Texas Medical Branch

    Galveston, Texas, 77555, United States

  • University of Utah Medical Center

    Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States