Evaluating Emetine for treating COVID-19 symptoms
Emetine for Viral Outbreaks: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial to Evaluate Oral Emetine Against Covid-19 (EVOLVE)
PHASE2; PHASE3 · Johns Hopkins University · NCT05889793
This study is testing if emetine can help relieve symptoms in people over 30 who have COVID-19 compared to a placebo.
Quick facts
| Phase | PHASE2; PHASE3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 600 (estimated) |
| Ages | 30 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Johns Hopkins University (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Baltimore, Maryland and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05889793 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of emetine, an alkaloid with antiviral properties, in treating symptomatic COVID-19 patients aged 30 and above. Participants will receive either emetine or a placebo for 10 days, with daily monitoring of vital signs and symptoms. The study will compare outcomes between the two groups to determine if emetine can effectively alleviate COVID-19 symptoms. The trial is designed to address the urgent need for effective antiviral treatments amid the ongoing pandemic.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are symptomatic COVID-19 patients aged 30 years and older who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within the last 10 days.
Not a fit: Patients who are asymptomatic, critically ill, or have significant cardiac conditions may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new antiviral option for symptomatic COVID-19 patients.
How similar studies have performed: While emetine has shown promise in preliminary screenings against SARS-CoV-2, this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 30 years of age or older at time of randomization * RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection within ≤ 10 days of the screening visit. * In addition to confirmed RT-PCR, symptomatic Covid-19 patients with at least two or more symptoms within 7 days of the screening visit: Cough, shortness of breath, fever/chills, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, body aches, headache * Ability to give informed consent (administered in local language) Exclusion Criteria * Asymptomatic Covid-19 patients * Pregnant or breastfeeding woman * Current or recent use of the study drug * Known allergy to study drug * Current or planned participation in another interventional trial in next 10 days. * Critical Covid-19 patients (ARDS) at the time of screening. * Patients needing intubation, mechanical ventilation, or ICU care at screening * Patients with prior cardiac disease including cardiac dysrhythmias, heart failure, ischemic heart disease or cardiomyopathies.
Where this trial is running
Baltimore, Maryland and 1 other locations
- Johns Hopkins University, Division of Infectious Diseases — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
- Bharatpur Hospital — Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kunchok Dorjee, MBBS, PhD, MPH — Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Kunchok Dorjee, MBBS, PhD
- Email: kdorjee1@jhmi.edu
- Phone: 4105027135
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: COVID-19