Allergy Spray Reduces COVID-19 Risk – Trial Results
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Azelastine Nasal Spray Shows Promise in Preventing Respiratory Infections, Including COVID-19
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A clinical trial suggests the over-the-counter nasal spray azelastine may offer protection against SARS-CoV-2 and rhinovirus infections, perhaps serving as an accessible preventative measure.
Study Findings: Azelastine Reduces Infection Rates
A randomized, double-blind phase 2 clinical trial, dubbed ‘CONTAIN’, demonstrated a significant reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infections among participants using azelastine nasal spray. Specifically,0.9% of individuals in the treatment group developed a SARS-CoV-2 infection, compared to 4.9% in the placebo group. The study, conducted in Germany, also revealed a reduction in rhinovirus infections, another major cause of respiratory illness. In the treatment group,1.8% developed a rhinovirus infection, compared to 6.3% in the placebo group - a proportion similar to that seen for SARS-CoV-2.
Azelastine nasal spray has been available for decades as an over-the-counter treatment for hay fever. previous laboratory studies (in vitro studies) on azelastine had already suggested antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses.’this clinical trial is the first to demonstrate a protective effect in a real-world setting,’ says Professor Robert Bals of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS).
Potential Applications and Future Research
Professor Bals suggests azelastine nasal spray could be a valuable prophylactic, particularly for vulnerable populations, during periods of high infection rates, or before travel. However, he emphasized the need for further research: ‘Our results highlight the need for larger, multicentre trials to continue exploring the use of azelastine nasal sprays as an on-demand preventive treatment, and to examine its potential effectiveness against other respiratory pathogens.’
Collaboration and Funding
The ‘CONTAIN’ study involved collaboration between the Institute of Clinical Pharmacy (Professor Thorsten Lehr, Dr. dominik Selzer), the Institute of virology (Professor Sigrun Smola), and the Saarbrücken-based pharmaceutical company URSAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH, which sponsored the study and manufactured the investigational product. The Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) contributed through the research groups of Professor Smola and Professor Bals. The project exemplifies triumphant collaboration between academic research, industry partners, and public health initiatives in the Saarland region.