Nose spray could block COVID spread in homes
NCT ID NCT05204550
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a nose spray containing heparin, a common and safe medicine, to see if it could stop the spread of COVID-19 within households. Over 500 people who lived with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 used the spray or a dummy spray three times a day for 10 days. The goal was to see if fewer people in the heparin group caught the virus compared to the dummy group.
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
-
Phase 2/3
Runs two stages together: whether the treatment works, then large-scale confirmation.
- Participants
-
506 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jan 2023
- Finished
-
Apr 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
5 to 100 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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: * Any person \> 5 years of age who tests positive to SARS-CoV-2 or is a household contact of someone of any age who tests positive is eligible for the trial. * Index case must be within 72 hours of positive test. * The positive test can be a RAT or a standard PCR nasal swab performed at an accredited laboratory for the diagnosis of COVID-19 as per the department of health regulations. If initial test is a RAT, then a a standard PCR nasal swab performed at an accredited laboratory for the diagnosis of COVID-19 as per the department of health regulations will be collected prior to randomisation but does not delay entry into the study awaiting the confirmatory result. * All participants must provide a signed and dated consent form and for children \< 16 years have a legally acceptable representative capable of understanding the informed consent document and providing consent on the participant's behalf. Consent forms will be developed in multiple languages and provided in a language that the participants are fluent in speaking. * At least one other person other than the index case in each household must consent to participation to enable the consenting members of the household to be randomised. Household members who do not consent to participate in the randomised trial but whom consent to have their COVID-19 status recorded can contribute to outcome measures where relevant. Exclusion Criteria: Children Age \< 5 years are excluded from being randomised to therapy but can contribute to the outcome measures if they are swab negative on day 1. * Documented Heparin allergy * Previous documented heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) * Recurrent epistaxis that has required hospitalisation in last 3 months * \>72 hours since index case tested positive * Inability to provide patient information and consent forms or study instructions in a language in which the patient is competent. * Household members who are swab positive on day 1 are excluded from contributing to the primary outcome, but are randomised and still contribute to secondary outcomes
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for COVID -19 are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
The Northern Hospital
Epping, Victoria, 3076, Australia
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Home antibody tests put to the test: can you read your own COVID-19 result?
- Can lung ultrasound reveal COVID-19's signature in the lungs?
- When the immune system Can't fight back: tracking three respiratory viruses
- The household maze: how does COVID-19 move between family members?
- Can an oral drug stop COVID-19 from turning deadly?
- Can COVID-19 rapid tests slip into HIV and TB clinics without disrupting care?