Nasal spray azélastine cuts the risk of infection through the coronavirus, shows the study

A new study discovered another way of potentially preventing COVID-19.

Researchers from the University of Saarland in Germany have led a clinical trial which revealed that a nasal spray could reduce the risk of infection by the coronavirus by two thirds.

The phase 2 study, published in Jama Internal Medicine, took place from March 2023 to July 2024 at the Saarland University Hospital.

The new cocovated variant can cause a “razor blade throat” – here is what you need to know

The 450 healthy adult participants were randomly assigned to receive the nasal spray from Azélastine or a placebo, three times a day for 56 days.

The researchers carried out rapid sras-Cov-2 antigen tests twice a week to diagnose the infection. People who had symptoms but received negative antigen results have undergone several PCR tests for respiratory viruses.

The Azélastin nasal spray could potentially delay COVVI-19 infection, according to new research. (istock)

Among the 227 people who received the nasal spraying of azélastine, the confirmed covid infection rates were “significantly below 2.2%, compared to 6.7% for the placebo group.

Click here to register for our Health Newsletter

The researchers also noted an increase in the period preceding the infection for people who take Azélastine. In these patients, the drug was linked to a lower rate of symptomatic infections confirmed by the PCR and less confirmed infections in rhinovirus (the main cause of colds).

The Azélastine Nasal Spray can also help prevent other respiratory viruses, researchers have revealed. (istock)

“In this test at my only center, the nasal spray of Azélastine was associated with a reduced risk of Sars-Cov-2 respiratory infections,” wrote the researchers.

Azélastine has been available as a over -the -counter treatment for hay fever, according to a press release from the University of Saarland, and previously suggested having an antiviral effect against Covid and other respiratory viruses.

Click here to obtain the Fox News app

The main researcher of the trial, Professor Robert Bals, director of the Department of Internal Medicine of Saarland University Medical Center, commented in a press release according to which the trial demonstrated the impact of Azelastine in a “real framework”.

Azélastine has led to a reduction in the number of symptomatic infections confirmed by the PCR, according to the study. (istock)

“The nasal spray of azélastine could provide an additional and easily accessible prophylactic to complete the existing protective measures, especially for vulnerable groups, during high infection rate periods or before traveling,” he continued.

For more health items, visit www.foxnews.com/health

“Our results highlight the need for larger multicentric trials to continue to explore the use of Azélastine nasal sprays as a preventive treatment on demand and to examine its potential efficiency against other respiratory pathogens.”

Fox News Digital contacted the researchers to comment.