UC joins nationwide clinical study to test medications for mild-to-moderate COVID-19

The study is now testing these repurposed medications:

• Ivermectin, used to treat parasitic infections;
• Fluticasone, an inhaled steroid commonly prescribed for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and
• Fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, often prescribed for depression.

To be eligible, participants must be 30 years old or older, have had a positive COVID-19 test within the past 10 days and have at least two symptoms of the illness for seven days or less. Symptoms include fatigue, difficulty breathing, fever, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, chills, headache, sore throat, nasal symptoms, and/or new loss of sense of taste or smell.

Participation involves taking the medication and keeping track of symptoms over 90 days through online surveys. Medications are shipped at no cost to participants.

"We're excited for UC to be a part of ACTIV-6,” says Douglas Brown, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine at the UC College of Medicine and medical director for the ACTIV-6 trial at UC. “With COVID-19 cases in Ohio recently exceeding the peak from a year ago and with supplies of newer, COVID-specific medications limited, we hope this trial will provide valuable insight about other medications that may help to ease COVID symptoms or help keep people from becoming severely sick."

To enroll, visit activ6study.org, or call the center at 833-385-1880. To contact the local UC ACTIV-6 study team, call 513-760-5936.

Lead photo of Powers-Fletcher/Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand