Summary
In adults with early COVID-19, the spray reduced titers of viable virus more than placebo over three days of treatment, with complete nasal and throat clearance by day 5. Antigen shedding rates did not differ.
Key points
- Viable virus in the nose fell more with the 0.5% povidone-iodine spray than with placebo on days 2 to 4 (p = 0.028).
- Nasal clearance of viable virus was faster with the spray (p = 0.032), and treated participants had fully cleared viable virus from nose and throat by day 5.
- Time to a negative rapid antigen test did not differ between groups.
- Participants used the spray 8 times a day for 3 days, 20 doses in all.
- Design: multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II trial in adults with early COVID-19.
- Funding: Firebrick Pharma, the product maker.