CBD-Hydroxychloroquine combo tested for arthritis pain – but trial ends early
NCT ID NCT05942911
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested a combination pill called IHL-675A, which contains cannabidiol (CBD) and hydroxychloroquine, in people with rheumatoid arthritis. The goal was to see if it safely reduces pain and improves daily function. The trial planned to enroll 128 volunteers but was terminated early with only 20 participants. Participants took the combo, CBD alone, hydroxychloroquine alone, or a placebo twice daily for 24 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- IHL-675A (a combination of cannabidiol and hydroxychloroquine)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis that combines CBD with a standard drug to improve pain and daily function.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early with only 20 participants, so results are very limited. It is a small Phase II study, so even if safe, it may not prove effective or lead to a new therapy.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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20 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2023
- Finished
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Oct 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Subjects will be included in the study if they satisfy all the following criteria: 1. Must have given written informed consent, before any study-related activities are carried out and must be able to understand the full nature and purpose of the trial, including possible risks and adverse effects 2. Has been diagnosed with RA and on stable treatment for RA for at least 3 months prior to the screening visit 3. Subject has a RAPID-3 score of \>4.5 at screening 4. Male or female, aged 18 or older inclusive at the screening visit 5. Body mass index (BMI) of 18 to 32 kg/m2, inclusive, at screening 6. Has at least two swollen or tender joints on the JC 66/68 at screening 7. Subject is otherwise medically healthy (in the opinion of the investigator), as determined by pre-study medical history and without clinically significant abnormalities including: 1. Physical examination at screening without any additional clinically relevant findings apart from those consistent with RA in the opinion of the investigator. 2. Systolic blood pressure at screening in the range of 90 to 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure in the range of 50 to 95 mmHg after 5 minutes in supine or semi-supine position. 3. Pulse rate at screening in the range of 45 to 100 beats/minute after 5 minutes rest in supine or semi-supine position. 4. Body temperature (tympanic) at screening between 35.5°C and 37.5°C. 5. Electrocardiogram (ECG) at screening without clinically significant abnormal findings including QT interval corrected for Fredericia (QTcF) ≤470msec for females and ≤450msec for males. 8. Physically well, in the opinion of the investigator, with no severe psychiatric, cardiac, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, bleeding, thyroid, cholesterol, or hypertension disorders 9. Male subjects must: 1. Agree not to donate sperm from the time of signing consent until at least 340 days (t1/2 \*5 +90 days) after the last dose of study drug 2. If engaging in sexual intercourse with a female partner who could become pregnant, must agree to use adequate contraception (defined as use of a condom plus a highly effective method of contraception (Appendix 10) from the time of signing consent until at least 340 days after the last dose of study drug). 3. If engaging in sexual intercourse with a female partner who is not of childbearing potential or a same-sex partner, must agree to use a condom from the time of signing consent until at least 340 days after the last dose of study drug. 10. Female subjects must be of non-childbearing potential i.e., surgically sterilised (hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, bilateral oophorectomy at least 6 weeks before screening) or postmenopausal (where postmenopausal is defined as no menses for 12 months without an alternative medical cause and a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level consistent with postmenopausal status, per local laboratory guidelines), or, if of childbearing potential (Women who have been surgically sterilised through tubal ligation are permitted to participate, if they agree to use an additional barrier method of contraception from one month prior to the first dose of study drug, until at least 280 days (t1/2 \* 5 +30 days) after the last dose of study drug.): 1. Must have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening and a negative urine pregnancy test prior to administration of the first dose of study drug. Note: subjects must also have a negative urine pregnancy test at each clinic visit. 2. Must agree not to donate ova or attempt to become pregnant from the time of signing consent until at least 280 days after the last dose of study drug. 3. If not exclusively in a same-sex relationship, must agree to use adequate contraception (which is defined as use of a condom by the male partner combined with use of a highly effective method of contraception (Appendix 10) from one month prior the first dose of study drug until at least 280 days after the last dose of study drug). 11. Able to avoid strenuous exercise from 72 hours prior to each visit to the clinical unit 12. Fluent in written and spoken English 13. Willing and able to comply with all study required tasks, including the completion of questionnaires, and to adhere to the study schedule and restrictions, as instructed by the protocol. Exclusion Criteria: Subjects will be excluded from the study if there is evidence of any of the following at screening. Subjects will be excluded from the study if there is evidence of any of the following at screening. 1. Known hypersensitivity to any of the study drug ingredients (cannabis products, sesame oil, hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine) 2. History of any clinically significant (in the opinion of the investigator) disorder within the last 3 months including cardiovascular (cardiac disease or arrythmias), haematologic, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, or gastrointestinal (such as cholecystitis, Gilbert's syndrome) disorders, or connective tissue, uncontrolled endocrine/metabolic, oncologic (within the last 5 years), neurologic, or any disorder within the last 3 months that may prevent the successful completion of the study or influence the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion or action of the study drug (in the opinion of the investigator). Note: a history of fully resolved childhood asthma is not exclusionary; a history of cholecystectomy is not exclusionary 3. Family history of QT issues 4. Currently taking or have taken hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine or any drugs containing HCQ or chloroquine within 3 months of screening 5. Taking more than 10 mg prednisone per day 6. Pregnant, lactating, planning to become pregnant 7. Known substance abuse or medical, psychological, or social conditions or significant psychiatric illness (defined as hospitalisation), suicidal ideation, or suicidal attempts that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with the subjects inclusion in the clinical study or evaluation of the clinical study results 8. Regular consumption of \>10 standard alcoholic drinks/week where 1 standard drink is 10 g of pure alcohol and is equivalent to 285 mL beer \[4.9% Alc/Vol\], 100 mL wine \[12% Alc/Vol\], 30 mL spirit \[40% Alc/Vol\]) 9. Positive urine illicit drug test at screening 10. C-SSRS score ≥4 OR reported suicidal behaviour within the past 3 months 11. Hepatic or renal impairment or disease defined as aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/ alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \>1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \<60 at screening 12. Subject has retinopathy or history thereof (as determined by the OCT eye examination at screening) 13. A positive test result for active human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 or HIV-2), hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies at the screening visit. 14. History of gastrointestinal disorders which may impact absorption, distribution, metabolism and/or excretion of the IP (such as cholecystitis, cholecystectomy, Gilbert's syndrome) 15. Participation in another clinical trial of an investigational drug within 30 Days or 5 half-lives of the investigational drug (whichever is longer) prior to screening 16. Any other condition or prior therapy that in the opinion of the Investigator (or delegate) would make the subject unsuitable for this study, including inability to cooperate fully with the requirements of the study protocol or likelihood of noncompliance with any study requirements. MRI Sub-Study Inclusion Criteria: Subjects may also participate in the MRI Sub-Study based on the below inclusion criteria. 1. Must have given written informed consent to participate in the MRI sub-study 2. Able and willing to undergo an MRI 3. Have at least 1 swollen and/or tender joint in left or right wrist or hand 4. Have a RAMRIS synovitis score of at least 1
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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
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AusTrials Wellers Hill
Wellers Hill, Queensland, 4121, Australia
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AusTrials Westside (Taringa)
Taringa, Queensland, 4068, Australia
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Captain Sterling Medical Centre
Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
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Coast Joint Care
Maroochydore, Queensland, 4558, Australia
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Emeritus Research
Sydney, New South Wales, 2019, Australia
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Emeritus Research Melbourne
Camberwell, Victoria, 3124, Australia
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Genesis Research Services
Broadmeadow, New South Wales, 2292, Australia
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Novatrials
Kotara, New South Wales, 2289, Australia
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Paratus Clinical (Woden Dermatology)
Phillip, Australian Capital Territory, 2606, Australia
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Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Camperdown, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
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