Cholesterol drug tested to stop dangerous pregnancy complication

NCT ID NCT03944512

Terminated Prevention Sponsor: The George Washington University Biostatistics Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

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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.

HYPERTENSION IN PREGNANCY OBSTETRIC LABOR COMPLICATIONS PREECLAMPSIA

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

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