CompletedPhase 2

Lipoic Acid Supplement for Cystine Stone

United States50 participantsStarted 2017-06-19

Plain-language summary

This study evaluates how daily alpha lipoic acid supplementation affects cystine kidney stone recurrence. Half of the subjects will receive 1200 mg alpha lipoic acid orally daily for three years, while the other half will receive a placebo. The funding source for this clinical trial is FDA OOPD.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Documented cystinuria on prior 24-hour urine collection and/or stone analysis; history of previous cystine kidney stones. * Being able and willing to provide consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (hemoglobin A1C \> 8.0% for more than 1 year). * Current alpha-lipoic acid administration at the time of screening or within the last year prior to screening. * Vulnerable populations including incarceration status. * Unable to give informed consent. * Non-English primary language. * Pregnancy, lactation, or child-bearing age without birth control devices. * Anticipation of pregnancy during the study period. * Serious illness likely to cause death within the next 5 years.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Cystine Stone Recurrence

Timeframe: 3 years

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02910531

SponsorThomas Chi, MD

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2024-12-18

Results submitted2025-12-12

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Cystinuria trials

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.