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NCT Number: NCT07632872

Desloratadine as Adjunct Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes joint pain, swelling, and reduced physical function. Although standard disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are effective for many patients, some individuals continue to have active disease.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of adding desloratadine to standard therapy in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Participants will receive either desloratadine or placebo in addition to their usual treatment.

The study will assess changes in disease activity and inflammatory markers over a follow-up period of approximately 12 weeks. The results of this study may help determine whether desloratadine could be a useful add-on treatment option for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Faculty of medicine, Mansoura University

Al Mansurah, Egypt

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Amira Mashaly

CONTACT

[email protected]

01028275001

About this study

rheumatoid arthritis. desloratadine has been shown to exhibit additional anti-inflammatory properties beyond its antihistaminic effect.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of desloratadine as add-on therapy to standard DMARD treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Eligible participants will be randomized into two parallel groups to receive either desloratadine, or placebo for a duration of three months.

Clinical assessments will include evaluation of disease activity scores, inflammatory biomarkers, and patient-reported outcomes. Safety and tolerability will be monitored throughout the study period. The findings of this study may provide evidence for novel adjunctive therapeutic strategies in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients with active rheumatoid arthritis according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria.
  • Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) greater than 2.6.
  • Age between 18 and 60 years.
  • Male and female patients.
  • Patients receiving methotrexate in addition to standard conventional therapy.
  • Ability to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with renal or hepatic disease.
  • Known hypersensitivity to the study medications.
  • Current use of antioxidant supplements.
  • History of psychiatric disorders.
  • Use of oral prednisolone at a dose greater than 15 mg per day.
  • Current treatment with biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding patients.
  • History of cardiac arrhythmias or prolonged QT interval.
  • Use of medications known to prolong the QT interval.

Treatment and study plan

desloratadine 5 mg

Drug

Desloratadine administered orally as add on therapy to standard disease modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Other names: Desloratadine

Placebo

Drug

Matching placebo administered orally as add on therapy to standard disease modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Disease Activity Score (DAS28)

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Change in disease activity assessed by the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), calculated using tender and swollen joint counts, patient global assessment, and inflammatory markers. DAS28 values are interpreted as follows: remission is defined as a score less than 2.6, low disease activity as 2.6 to 3.2, moderate disease activity as greater than 3.2 to 5.1, and high disease activity as greater than 5.1. The outcome compares DAS28 values at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment with desloratadine or placebo.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Amira Mashaly

CONTACT

[email protected]

01028275001

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Horus University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Desloratadine as Add-On Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jun 8, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 8, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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