OTC nasal spray reduces the risk of Covid-19 infection by 70%
6 days ago
- #COVID-19 prevention
- #clinical trial
- #allergy spray
- Azelastine, an active ingredient in common allergy sprays, reduced COVID-19 infections by 70% in a clinical trial.
- The trial involved 450 healthy, mostly vaccinated adults who used azelastine or placebo nasal spray three times daily for 56 days.
- Azelastine users had a 2.2% infection rate vs. 6.7% in the placebo group, with fewer symptomatic cases and delayed infection onset.
- The spray also lowered common cold (rhinovirus) infections, with overall respiratory infections at 9.3% vs. 22% in the placebo group.
- Side effects were mild (bitter taste, nosebleeds, tiredness), and serious adverse events were rare and unrelated to the spray.
- Azelastine nasal sprays are available OTC in the US (Astepro Allergy) and Australia (Azep), but require prescriptions in the UK.
- Limitations include a modest sample size, single-site study, and mostly young, healthy, vaccinated participants.
- Azelastine could serve as a cheap, accessible prophylactic for high-risk settings (travel, crowded events) alongside vaccines.
- Further research is needed to confirm effectiveness in unvaccinated/high-risk groups and against other respiratory pathogens.