RecruitingPHASE3INTERVENTIONAL

Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy

The RECOVERY trial is a large study testing different treatments for people in the UK who are in hospital with serious lung infections, like pneumonia, including COVID-19. Its main goal is to find out which treatments can help patients recover and reduce their risk of dying. So far, the trial has found that some medicines, like certain steroids and specific antibody treatments, are very effective for COVID-19. It has also shown that other treatments, like hydroxychloroquine, are not helpful. This research helps doctors provide the best possible care for patients with these conditions. It's an ongoing study that keeps looking for better ways to treat serious lung infections.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

PHASE3

Sponsor

University of Oxford

Enrolment target

70,000

Start

19 Mar 2020

Estimated completion

30 Sep 2038

Pneumonia

What is this study about?

The RECOVERY trial is a very important research study happening in the UK. Its main aim is to find effective treatments for people who are in hospital because they have serious lung infections like pneumonia. This includes patients with COVID-19, but also those with other types of lung infections such as flu or community-acquired pneumonia. When someone is very ill with these conditions, their lungs can struggle to get enough oxygen, which is why treatments are needed to help them recover.

Throughout the trial, doctors have been testing various medicines to see which ones work best to help patients get better and reduce their risk of dying. For example, the study quickly discovered that a common steroid called dexamethasone can save lives in many hospitalised COVID-19 patients. It also identified other helpful treatments, such as certain antibody therapies and medications like tocilizumab and baricitinib, which can reduce the severity of illness and improve recovery. The trial has also helped doctors understand which treatments are not effective, so those can be avoided.

This trial is crucial because it helps doctors make informed decisions about care. By finding out which treatments work and which don't, RECOVERY ensures that patients receive the most effective care based on solid scientific evidence. It continues to test new and existing medicines, always aiming to improve outcomes for people suffering from severe lung infections.

Key takeaways

RECOVERY is a major UK trial for serious lung infections like pneumonia and COVID-19.
It aims to find treatments that help patients recover and reduce their risk of dying.
The trial has already found some life-saving treatments for COVID-19, like certain steroids.
It also identifies treatments that are not effective, so doctors can avoid using them.
Participation involves receiving one of the tested treatments in hospital with close monitoring.
This research helps improve medical care for future patients with similar conditions.

Who may be eligible?

To join the RECOVERY trial, you would need to be in hospital because you have a lung infection that doctors suspect is pneumonia. This means you might have symptoms like a cough, shortness of breath, or fever, along with signs of lung problems found on scans or examinations.

The trial covers different types of lung infections. This includes confirmed flu (even if you also have COVID-19) or a common type of pneumonia that usually responds to antibiotics. However, if your pneumonia is from specific causes like tuberculosis or certain fungal infections, or if you're not planning to receive antibiotic treatment for pneumonia, you might not be suitable for that part of the study.

Your doctors will also check your overall health to make sure that taking part in the trial won't put you at any extra risk. They will carefully consider your medical history to ensure your safety if you participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Am I currently in hospital?
Do my doctors believe I have pneumonia or another serious lung infection?
Do I have COVID-19, confirmed flu, or community-acquired pneumonia?
Am I planning to receive antibiotic treatment for my pneumonia (if applicable)?
Does my medical history allow me to safely take part in research?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in the RECOVERY trial, you would remain in hospital while receiving a specific treatment being tested. This treatment would be given to you as part of your regular hospital care, alongside all the usual medical attention you need. Doctors and nurses would monitor your health very closely, just as they would any other patient in hospital. They would record information about your condition and how you respond to the treatment.

There aren't usually extra visits to the hospital involved specifically for the trial beyond your hospital stay. The study uses information gathered during your hospitalisation. Once you are discharged, the trial team might access your medical records to see how you are doing over time. The total duration of your active participation (receiving treatment and being monitored during your hospital stay) depends on how long you need to be in hospital, but the study might continue to collect information on your health for several months after you leave.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this trial means you might receive a treatment that proves to be very effective, potentially helping you recover faster or more completely than usual care. However, like all medicines, the treatments being tested may have side effects, or they might not work as hoped. You will be closely monitored for any reactions or changes in your health. Remember, you can choose to leave the trial at any time for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (16)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Belgian sites are managed by the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases
Verified postcode
Brussels, Belgium· Recruiting
Estonian sites are managed by the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases
Verified postcode
Tallinn, Estonia· Recruiting
French sites are managed by the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases
Verified postcode
Paris, France· Recruiting
Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine KNUST
Verified postcode
Kumasi, Ghana· Recruiting
Indian Council of Medical Research, Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases
Verified postcode
New Delhi, India· Completed
Eijkman Oxford Clinical Research Unit (EOCRU), Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology
Verified postcode
Jakarta, Indonesia· Recruiting
Italian sites are managed by the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases
Verified postcode
Roma, Italy· Recruiting
Clinical Trial Unit, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit-Nepal, Patan Academy of Health Sciences
Verified postcode
Kathmandu, Nepal· Recruiting
Dutch sites are managed by the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases
Verified postcode
Utrecht, Netherlands· Recruiting
Portuguese sites are managed by the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases
Verified postcode
Lisbon, Portugal· Recruiting
Romanian sites are managed by the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases
Verified postcode
Bucharest, Romania· Recruiting
Wits Health Consortium
Verified postcode
Johannesburg, South Africa· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the main goal of the RECOVERY trial?

Its main goal is to find out which treatments work best to help people in hospital with serious lung infections, like pneumonia, get better and reduce their risk of dying.

What kind of conditions does this trial look at?

It looks at pneumonia, including cases caused by COVID-19, influenza (the flu), and other common lung infections called community-acquired pneumonia.

Have any treatments been found helpful by the trial?

Yes, treatments like dexamethasone (a steroid), tocilizumab, and baricitinib have been shown to help hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

Did the trial find any treatments that are not helpful?

Yes, it found that treatments like hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir-ritonavir, azithromycin, and others did not help hospitalised COVID-19 patients, and these are no longer being tested.

Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?

Yes, you can choose to leave the trial at any point, and your medical care will not be affected.

How to find out more

Leon Peto

recoverytrial@ndph.ox.ac.uk +44 (0)1865 743743 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.