Common statin may ward off liver failure in veterans

NCT ID NCT03654053

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether simvastatin, a drug typically used for cholesterol, can reduce the risk of liver complications in veterans with compensated cirrhosis (scarred but symptom-free liver). About 142 participants will take either simvastatin or a placebo nightly for several years. The goal is to see if the drug delays or prevents serious events like internal bleeding, fluid buildup, or liver cancer.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Simvastatin
What this could lead to: If it works, this could show that a common cholesterol drug helps prevent serious liver complications in people with early-stage cirrhosis.
What could go wrong: This is a mid-stage trial with only 142 participants, all U.S. veterans, so results may not apply to everyone. Simvastatin can cause muscle pain or liver issues in some people.

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.

cirrhosis of liver Fibrosis hepatocellular carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

CIRRHOSIS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Brooklyn Campus of the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn, New York, 11209, United States
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104-4551, United States
Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA

Richmond, Virginia, 23249, United States
James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY

The Bronx, New York, 10468, United States
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
Philadelphia MultiService Center, Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, United States
Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, KY

Louisville, Kentucky, 40206, United States
San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA

San Francisco, California, 94121, United States
VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus, Jamaica Plain, MA

Boston, Massachusetts, 02130, United States
VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven Campus, West Haven, CT

West Haven, Connecticut, 06516, United States
VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division, Seattle, WA

Seattle, Washington, 98108, United States

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