Perhaps we will have a new way to protect against the Covid-19, which checks almost all the boxes: it is effective, accessible, easy to apply, already confirmed as safe for public use, it is accessible without a prescription … And it is called azelastin.
This nasal spray has been available through the stall for decades with various brands, more than 70 countries. It is used to treat several allergies including hay feverAnd a new study was launched with its effectiveness to prevent Covid-19, after promising results in laboratory tests and people with SARS-COV-2 infection.
The eight -week trial was led by a team from Sarland University in Germany. Researchers divided 450 participants into two groups: one group used azelastin nasal spray three times a day, while the other group followed the same routine with a placebo spray.
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“During the observation period, 2.2 % of the participants of the Azelastin Group became infected with Sars-Cov-2,” says pneumologist Robert Voice from Sarland University. “In the placebo group, it was 6.7 percent – three times more.”
More positive study data: Azelastin Group also showed fewer symptomatic infections (confirmed by Covidid-19 cases, including symptoms such as cough), lower number of respiratory infections and fewer rhinovirus cases (common cold virus).
There were fewer Covidid-19 cases using the nose. (Lehr et al., Jama Intern. With.2025)
The last conclusions were a bit unexpected because rhinovirus is very difficult to avoid and treat. It is suggested that this treatment could be effective with other respiratory infections, although this was not the main essence of the research.
Although the frequency of coronavirus infection has declined dramatically since the first few years of pandemic, the virus has not disappeared. For example, this is still concerned with high risk groups and travelers, and although vaccines are widely available, they are not always effective for everyone.
“Azelastin’s nasal spray could provide additional easily accessible prophylaxis to supplement existing protective measures, especially for vulnerable groups, high speed of infection or before traveling,” says voice.
These are promising results, but azelastin cannot be sold as it can stop the Covid-19, even if it already confirms it as an anti-allergen. Further tests should be performed in all larger, more diverse populations, such as vulnerable groups that researchers mentioned.
This particular study did not investigate why the drug has this protective effect against Covid-19, but previous studies show that several mechanisms are played. Of course, this nasal spray is a good start; Most SARS-COV-2 infections go on the nose path to the body.
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Existing evidence also shows that azelastin is one of several drugs that can stop the Sars-Cov-2 replication by stopping the virus on its tracks. However, it works, but the drug is clearly effective in preventing the Covid-19 road, and we can expect to hear more about it as possible in the future.
“Our results emphasize the need for larger, multicental studies to further study the use of azelastin nasal spray as preventive treatment as needed and to investigate its potential effectiveness against other respiratory pathogens,” says Bals.
The investigation has been published Jama domestic medicine;