Could an antiviral pill ease long COVID?
NCT ID NCT06161688
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether the antiviral drug ensitrelvir can help people with Long COVID by clearing leftover virus from the body. About 40 adults with persistent symptoms will receive either the drug or a placebo. The main goal is to see if the drug improves physical health and reduces symptoms like fatigue and pain.
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 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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40 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2024
- 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 to 69 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria (note, additional eligibility criteria not listed here will be assessed at Screening): * ≥18 and \<70 years of age at Screening. * History of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. * Long COVID attributed to a SARS-CoV-2 infection * At least two moderate symptoms or one severe symptom that are new or worsened since the time of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, not known to be attributable to another cause upon assessment by the PI. Symptoms must have been present for at least 60 days prior to screening and must be reported to be at least somewhat bothersome. * Body mass index (BMI) 18 to 50 kilograms/meter squared (kg/m2), inclusive, at the time of screening. * Participants who are of childbearing potential (CBP) and male participants with sexual partner(s) who are females of CBP must agree to use adequate contraception from study consent through 14 days after the last dose of study intervention. Exclusion Criteria (note, additional eligibility criteria not listed here will be assessed at Screening): * Previously received SARS-CoV-2 antiviral within 90 days prior to planned Day 0 or plan to receive such treatment before exiting the study * Previously received COVID-19 convalescent plasma treatment within 60 days prior to planned Day 0 or plan to receive such treatment before exiting the study. * Plans to receive any investigational or approved vaccine or booster for SARS-CoV-2 within 60 days prior to Day 0 or before Day 30 following Day 0. * Active cardiovascular disease or recent (within 3 months) stroke. * Recent (within 6 months) or planned major surgery. * Currently hospitalized or recent (within 1 month) unplanned hospitalization. * Active Hepatitis B or C infection. * Known HIV infection. * Severe coagulopathy (international normalized ratio ((INR) \>2.0, history of hemophilia). * Severe anemia (hemoglobin \<9 grams/deciliter (g/dL)). * Moderate or severe immunocompromise, according to the current NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines as of March 6, 2023. * History of anaphylaxis or hypersensitivity to any components of the intervention, prescription or non-prescription drugs, or food products in the past. * Known prior diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), preceding and not related to SARS-CoV-2 infection and not worsened since SARS-CoV-2 infection * Pregnant, breastfeeding, or unwilling to practice birth control abide by the contraception requirements outlined in the inclusion criteria. * Participation in a clinical trial with receipt of an investigational product within 28 days prior to Day 0. * Presence of a condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the Investigator would compromise the safety of the patient or the quality of the data.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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UCSF/Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
San Francisco, California, 94110, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can slow breathing retrain the nervous system to fight long COVID?
- Can a brain zapping headset restore focus after long COVID?
- Mindfulness may offer relief for long COVID sufferers
- Can wearables decode the mystery of fatigue?
- Beetroot juice: a natural boost against long COVID fatigue?
- A One-Two punch for long COVID? supplement and therapy put to the test