Could a Triple-Drug cocktail beat long COVID?
NCT ID NCT07597902
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial tests whether a combination of three drugs—valacyclovir, celecoxib, and Paxlovid—can reduce Long COVID symptoms in adults. About 150 participants aged 18-65 with diagnosed Long COVID will receive either the drug combo or a placebo. The main goal is to see if the treatment improves self-rated health and quality of life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- combination of valacyclovir, celecoxib, and Paxlovid
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment that eases Long COVID symptoms and improves quality of life.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 150 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The drug combination may cause side effects or fail to show benefit.
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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About 150 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jun 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2028
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 65 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.
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: * 18-65 years of age at the time of study entry * Diagnosed with Long COVID * Individuals of child-bearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening and agree to on-site urine pregnancy testing at all subsequent study visits * A urine drug screen performed at the Screening Visit must be negative for drugs of abuse such as methamphetamine, cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), and non-disclosed amphetamines and opioids/opiates. * Those with mild to moderate depression should be clinically stable for three months, without risk of suicidal ideation or behavior. Exclusion Criteria: * Breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant during the next six months. * In the opinion of the Investigator, any clinically significant, uncontrolled, or unstable medical or surgical condition that could affect the individual's ability to participate in the study or potentially compromise their well-being while enrolled in the study. * In the opinion of the Investigator or based on results of the HADS, evidence of a clinically significant psychiatric disorder, e.g., severe, unstable or poorly controlled depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder; moderate or severe alcohol use disorder; substance use disorder other than mild cannabis use disorder; or any history of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or other psychotic disorder. * Currently meeting criteria for ME/CFS at the pre-screening or screening visit, or a prior confirmed diagnosis of ME/CFS within the last 5 years. This may be determined as part of the initial screening call or visit. * Any anticipated need for surgery that in the opinion of the Principal Investigator or Sub-I might confound results or interfere with the participant's ability to comply with the protocol. * Symptomatic and/or otherwise clinically significant cardiac disease * Acute non-COVID systemic infection (e.g., HIV, hepatitis) or other active viral or bacterial infection during the screening/washout period or at the Baseline visit. * Currently receiving chronic systemic corticosteroids (\>5 mg prednisone daily, or equivalent) * Routine treatment with warfarin, heparin, lithium, digoxin, amiodarone, isoniazid, phenytoin, fluconazole, methotrexate, probenecid, or raloxifene. Participants on these medications should not be screened. * Uncontrolled sleep apnea. * Use of chronic nucleoside analog antiviral suppression therapy within one month of the Screening Visit or requiring on average more than one acute treatment course every two months. * Current use of celecoxib either alone or in combination with valacyclovir or famciclovir * In the opinion of the Investigator, evidence of current drug or alcohol abuse or dependency, or history of abuse or dependence during the preceding 12 months. * The participant has undergone a malabsorptive weight loss procedure (e.g., Roux-en-Y or other bypass procedure). * Severe IBS-C or colonic inertia as evidenced by seven or more days between bowel movements.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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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
Show contact details
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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The Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illnesses (CoRE)
New York, New York, 10029, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Can wearables decode the mystery of fatigue?
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- A One-Two punch for long COVID? supplement and therapy put to the test