Allergy spray could tame COVID symptoms, early trial hopes
NCT ID NCT06008860
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether Astepro, an over-the-counter allergy nasal spray, can help manage early COVID-19 symptoms and reduce viral load. 280 adults with a positive COVID test will use the spray or a placebo for 10 days. Researchers will track symptoms, viral levels, and whether the spray lowers infection rates in close contacts.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Astepro (azelastine) nasal spray
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, over-the-counter nasal spray to reduce COVID-19 symptoms and possibly lower spread to close contacts.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study, not a large-scale trial. The spray is an antihistamine, not a direct antiviral, so it may not significantly affect the virus or symptoms.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
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About 280 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2023
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria (Primary Cohort): * 18 and up * Ability to consent * Have a Covid-19 positive saliva sample prior to the start of treatment; or positive rapid antigen test at home confirmed via first COVID-19 positive saliva sample * Ability to follow the study instructions and adhere to the study procedures * Ability to provide every other day saliva samples throughout the study period 10 days, and report symptoms * Subjects that have been vaccinated for Covid-19 * Does not have any symptoms or only experiencing mild symptoms of Covid-19 (e.g., such as fever below a threshold or no fever, or without severe cough, among others). Inclusion Criteria (Close Contacts): * Ability to consent * Ability to follow the study instructions and report side effects * Ability to provide saliva samples throughout the study period * Subjects that have been vaccinated for Covid-19. Exclusion Criteria (Primary Cohort): * Women who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or who plan to become pregnant * Contradictions to intranasal azelastine (known hypersensitivity) * Use of other Covid-19 treatments (steroids, convalescent plasma, therapeutic antibodies, etc.) * Intranasal, corticosteroid, immunomodulator, or other medication use which can change the effect of Astepro. * Prior Covid infection greater than 5 and less than 30 days before enrollment * Subjects who have been involved with any other research study within the last 30 days. * A prior hypersensitivity to olopatadine (Patanase), diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine. Subjects that have not been vaccinated for Covid-19. Subjects that have moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms, or signs of meeting indications (e.g. Shortness of Breath, chest pains) for urgent or emergent therapy (these subjects will be advised to seek emergency medical assistance). Exclusion Criteria (Close Contacts) * Prior Covid infection less than 30 days or greater 5 days prior to enrollment in study * Use of other Covid-19 treatments * Having a positive rapid home or PCR COVID test prior to the positive test for the primary cohort subject they're associated with * Involved with any other research study within the last 30 days * Subjects that have not been vaccinated for Covid-19.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Chicago
RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60637, United States
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- Can an oral drug stop COVID-19 from turning deadly?
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