Can a heart drug ease long COVID symptoms?
NCT ID NCT06305806
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This completed Phase 2 trial tested whether ivabradine, a drug that slows heart rate, can reduce symptoms like dizziness and rapid heartbeat in people with long COVID. 181 participants received either ivabradine or a placebo for 3 months, with follow-up for another 3 months. The study measured changes in symptom scores and daily activity interference.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Ivabradine
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment for long COVID symptoms such as dizziness and rapid heartbeat.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 2 trial with only 181 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The drug may not improve symptoms more than placebo.
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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181 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2024
- Finished
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Dec 2025
- 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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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: * See NCT06305780 for RECOVER-AUTO: Platform Protocol level inclusion criteria which applies to this appendix (or sub-study) Additional Appendix B (Ivabradine Sub-study) Level Inclusion Criteria: 1\. Abnormal active standing test defined as presence of orthostatic tachycardia and experiencing orthostatic symptoms. Orthostatic tachycardia defined as: Increase of 30 beats per minute (bpm) or more in HR within 10 minutes upon standing without orthostatic hypotension (decline of ≥ 20 mmHg of systolic or ≥ 10 mmHg of diastolic blood pressure after 3 minutes of standing) OR History of documented increase of 30 bpm or more from an active stand test or tilt table test without orthostatic hypotension in the past 1 year AND standing HR above 100 bpm at the Screening/Baseline visit active stand test. Exclusions Criteria: * See NCT06305780 for RECOVER-AUTO: Platform Protocol level inclusion criteria which applies to this appendix (or sub-study) Additional Appendix B (Ivabradine Sub-study) Level Exclusion Criteria: 1. A person of child-bearing potential who is not taking effective contraception 2. Use of midodrine, pyridostigmine, fludrocortisone, and guanfacine will be excluded unless participant is on a stable dose (\>4 weeks). Participants on stable doses will be allowed to continue the medication throughout the study 3. Combination with verapamil or diltiazem which are moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors with heart rate reducing properties 4. Severe hepatic impairment 5. Use of drugs known to prolong the QT-interval (e.g., quinidine, disopyramide, bepridil, sotalol, amiodarone, pimozide, ziprasidone, sertindole, mefloquine, halofantrine, pentamidineUse of drugs known to prolong the QT-interval (e.g., quinidine, disopyramide, bepridil, sotalol, amiodarone, pimozide, ziprasidone, sertindole, mefloquine, halofantrine, pentamidine 6. Concomitant use of digoxin or Paxlovid 7. Known history of atrial fibrillation or significant cardiac arrhythmia not due to reversible cause 8. Participants who are pacemaker dependent 9. Patients with hypokalemia (serum K+\<3.5 mEq/L) 10. Patients taking potassium-depleting diuretics, unless potassium level is normal at the baseline CMP, in which case participants may continue taking it during the study. 11. A history of congenital or acquired long QT syndrome, with or without torsade de pointes 12. Patients with high degree AV block such as Type 2 AV block, Mobitz II
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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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All sites listed under NCT06305780
Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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