NCT06008860

A Pilot Clinical Evaluation of Astepro® Nasal Spray for Management of Early SARS-CoV-2 Infection

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 4
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 280 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Chicago · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The study team proposes to evaluate the efficacy of Astepro® 0.15% nasal spray in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults through a pilot and feasibility clinical trial at the University of Chicago.

Detailed description

In this study, the study team aims to re-confirm the utility of this medication for use in Covid-19 to decrease the significant impact on quality of life, symptoms, infectivity, and occupation. plan to recruit vaccinated adults immediately upon Covid-19 diagnosis at one major Chicago University and follow viral load as a primary outcome in those randomized to receive Astepro® vs. placebo. Subjects who have a home antigen test or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive diagnosis of Covid-19 will be enrolled in the study. Viral load will be assessed at Day -1, day of presentation, followed by self-collected saliva over the subsequent 10 days in patients getting either azelastine or placebo. Specific Aims To address this hypothesis, the study team is investigating the following specific aims: 1. Compare the trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the upper airway of adults with new onset Covid-19 randomized to receive azelastine at standard rhinitis dosing (n=70) or placebo (n=70) over 10 days. The study team will target early disease (immediately upon diagnosis), mild severity in outpatients (facilitating study participation and self-sample collection), and pragmatic, receptive target populations (volunteers living nearby). 2. Determine if there is a decrease in R0 in Covid-19 positive patients and their closest contacts The study team hypothesizes that less new covid infections will be observed among close contacts who co-habitate with subjects randomized to the Astepro (azelastine) arm. 3. Determine whether treatment with azelastine improves pertinent clinical parameters in these subjects. Rates, durations, and intensities of key symptoms will be captured using existing, low burden data collection instruments that meet FDA guidelines. All sample and data collection, including validated, objective olfactory testing, will be contactless, minimizing risk. 4. Assess and quantitate side effects, subject satisfaction, and tolerability of azelastine in this setting. Given the heterogeneous nature of Covid-19, the study team will assess the feasibility of this treatment from the patient standpoint, including qualitative and quantitative feedback, to inform future trials and scaling.

Conditions

• COVID-19

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Experimental: Primary Cohort	Astepro (azelastine) is a second generation antihistamine, as well as an anti-inflammatory and mast cell stabilizer8. It is available as a 0.1% and 0.15% nasal spray by prescription in the USA and over-the-counter in the European Union (EU). Dosing for adults and adolescents 12 years and older is 1 or 2 sprays per nostril twice daily (0.1%) or 2 sprays per nostril once daily (0.15%)9. It is approved by the FDA for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms (rhinorrhea, sneezing, and nasal pruritus) in adults and children 2 years and older, perennial allergic rhinitis in adults and children ages 6 months and older, and the symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis (rhinorrhea, nasal congestion and postnasal drip) in adults and adolescents 12 years and older9.
OTHER	Placebo Comparator: Primary Cohort - Placebo	A Placebo will be provided by Bayer which features similar color and packaging as azelastine.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-07-01
• Primary completion: 2026-12-01
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2023-08-24
• Last updated: 2025-11-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated drug study