RecruitingPhase IIIInterventional

A randomised trial of treatments to prevent death in patients hospitalised with pneumonia

Pneumonia is a severe lung infection that leads to thousands of hospital admissions each year. The RECOVERY trial, led by the University of Oxford, is a major UK study finding the best ways to treat lung infections in hospital. While it famously discovered life-saving treatments for COVID-19, the trial is now focusing on patients hospitalised with seasonal flu or bacterial pneumonia. Everyone who joins receives the usual high standard of NHS hospital care. A computer then chooses at random whether they also receive an extra study treatment, such as an antiviral medicine or a steroid. Doctors and nurses monitor each person closely to see how well they recover. Taking part helps doctors gather clear evidence about which medicines work best, improving care for future patients across the NHS.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Phase III

Sponsor

University of Oxford

Enrolment target

50,000

Start

19 Mar 2020

Estimated completion

30 Sep 2028

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, COVID-19 (SARS coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] infection), Influenza A, Influenza B, Viral pneumonia syndrome, Community-acquired pneumonia, Bacterial pneumonia syndrome

What is this study about?

Severe chest infections like pneumonia and influenza can cause dangerous breathing difficulties and lead to hospital stays. While treatments such as antibiotics and oxygen are routinely used, doctors need clearer evidence about which additional medications give patients the best chance of making a full recovery. The RECOVERY trial was set up to answer these vital questions.

You may recognise RECOVERY as the landmark clinical trial that identified dexamethasone and other treatments for COVID-19. With those parts of the study now complete, the research team is applying the same successful approach to other serious lung conditions, particularly severe seasonal flu and pneumonia caught in the community.

The study is designed as a 'platform trial'. This means doctors can test several possible treatments at the same time against usual care. If a medication proves effective, NHS hospitals can quickly adopt it. If a medicine does not help, researchers stop using it and test something else instead. This flexible design speeds up medical discoveries while keeping patient safety at the centre.

Key takeaways

RECOVERY is a large UK trial testing treatments for people hospitalised with flu or pneumonia.
All participants receive standard NHS hospital care alongside any study medication.
A computer assigns patients to a treatment group at random to keep comparisons fair.
The trial includes patients of all ages, from young children to older adults.
Joining is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time without affecting your NHS care.

Who may be eligible?

This trial is open to people of all ages who are currently admitted to hospital with a serious lung infection. To join, a patient must have either confirmed flu (influenza A or B) or community-acquired pneumonia that requires intravenous or tablet antibiotics.

Patients cannot take part if their hospital doctor feels the study medicines would be unsafe alongside their existing health conditions or treatments. People with active tuberculosis or certain rare fungal chest infections are also unable to join.

Both adults and children can be included, with parents or guardians providing consent for younger patients. Women who are pregnant can also take part, though doctors will only offer treatments with a proven safety record in pregnancy.

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.

You are currently staying in hospital receiving medical care.
You have been diagnosed with a severe chest infection or pneumonia.
You have confirmed flu (influenza A or B) or are taking antibiotics for pneumonia.
Your doctor agrees that taking part in a clinical trial is safe for you.
You or a family member are willing to give informed consent to take part.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are invited to join the RECOVERY trial, a doctor or research nurse will explain the study and ask for your written consent. If you are too unwell, a family member can give agreement on your behalf until you feel better. A secure computer programme will then assign your treatment at random, like rolling a die. Neither you nor your doctor can pick which arm you enter. You will always receive the full standard NHS treatment for your condition; the computer simply decides whether you receive an additional study medication as well. The study medicine might be given as a tablet, liquid, or through a drip into a vein. Your hospital team will monitor you closely during your normal hospital stay. After you go home, researchers will follow your recovery for a short period using your routine NHS electronic health records, so you do not need to attend extra clinic visits.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part may or may not help your infection directly, but your participation helps doctors discover better treatments for future hospital patients. Like all medicines, the study treatments carry potential risks, ranging from mild side effects like an upset stomach or headache to rare allergic reactions. Your hospital doctors will watch you carefully and can treat any side effects promptly. Joining is entirely your choice, and you are free to withdraw from the trial at any point without it affecting your medical care or your relationship with your doctors.

Locations (16)

Nuffield Department of Population Health
City only
Oxford, England
Eijkman Oxford Clinical Research Unit (EOCRU)
City only
Jakarta, Indonesia
Clinical Trial Unit, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit-Nepal
City only
Kathmandu, Nepal
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
City only
Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Indian Council of Medical Research
Approximate
New Delhi, India
Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine
Unverified
Kumasi, Ghana
Belgian sites are managed by the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases
Unverified
Belgium
Estonian sites are managed by the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases
Unverified
Estonia
French sites are managed by the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases
Unverified
France
Italian sites are managed by the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases
Unverified
Italy
Dutch sites are managed by the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases
Unverified
Netherlands
Portuguese sites are managed by the European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases
Unverified
Portugal

Common questions

Will I still receive my normal hospital care?

Yes. Every participant receives the standard NHS treatment for their condition. The trial only tests whether adding an extra medicine improves recovery.

Can I choose which medicine I receive?

No. A computer programme allocates treatments by chance. This random process ensures the study results are fair, accurate, and scientifically reliable.

Can children join the study?

Yes. The trial is open to all age groups, including children, provided their parent or legal guardian gives written permission.

Do I have to attend extra hospital appointments after I go home?

Usually no. Researchers track your long-term health and recovery securely through your routine NHS health records, avoiding extra travel for you.

What happens if I change my mind after joining?

You can leave the study at any time. If you decide to stop, your hospital team will continue providing your normal care with no changes.

How to find out more

Michelle Nunn

recoverytrial@ndph.ox.ac.uk - Official trial record

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