A phase 2 study has demonstrated that the use of azelastine nasal spray significantly reduces the risk of coronavirus infection, according to researchers at Saarland University in Germany. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, involved 450 healthy adults who were randomly assigned to receive either the azelastine nasal spray or a placebo, three times daily for 56 days. The results showed that participants using azelastine had a much lower infection rate of 2.2% compared to 6.7% in the placebo group.
Researchers conducted SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing twice weekly to monitor infection rates. Those who exhibited symptoms but received negative antigen test results underwent multiple PCR tests to detect respiratory viruses. The study also noted an increase in the time before infection for participants using azelastine, with a lower rate of confirmed symptomatic infections and fewer rhinovirus infections, which is the primary cause of the common cold.
Azelastine, an over-the-counter treatment for hay fever, has been previously suggested to have antiviral properties against several respiratory viruses. Lead trial researcher Professor Robert Bals emphasized that the results from this single-center trial provide insights into azelastine’s potential in a real-world setting, making it potentially beneficial for vulnerable groups during high-risk periods or before travel. The findings stress the need for larger, multicenter trials to explore the spray’s effectiveness as an on-demand preventive treatment, and its potential against other respiratory pathogens.
While the study represents a significant step forward in the fight against the coronavirus, more research is needed to confirm these findings and explore its broader applications. The researchers have called for further investigations and highlighted the importance of continuing to explore potential preventive measures for respiratory viruses.