WASHINGTON (TNND) -- A nasal spray might help healthy adults combat COVID-19, according to a study out of Germany.
The news comes as coronavirus cases recently popped up again in the U.S.
The study noted that azelastine -- which is an antihistamine the Mayo Clinic said is used to treat seasonal and year-round allergies such as sneezing runny, stuffy, or itchy nose, and itchy, watery eyes -- cut COVID infections by 69%.
In this single-center trial, azelastine nasal spray was associated with reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infections. These findings support the potential of azelastine as a safe prophylactic approach warranting confirmation in larger, multicentric trials," the study which was recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine, noted.
The New York Post said azelastine is sold as an over-the-counter drug "in the 0.15% concentration as Astepro Allergy."
The study said it used a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial that included 450 participants -- almost all of whom had been vaccinated against COVID-19.
They were split into two groups, with 227 participants taking a single puff of azelastine 0.1% in each nostril multiple times a day, while 223 were given a placebo, over the course nearly two months.
At the end of the trial, 2.2% of the participants who used the spray tested positive, while 6.7% in the placebo group tested positive. Researchers said the findings represent a significant reduction in infection risk.
"The findings of this randomized clinical trial suggest that azelastine nasal spray may reduce the incidence of respiratory infections caused by SARS-CoV-2," according to the study.
"The established safety profile, over-the-counter availability, and ease of use of azelastine nasal spray support its potential as a practical, scalable on demand approach to preexposure prophylaxis, particularly in high-risk settings such as large gatherings or travel," the study also noted. "Although these findings support the use of azelastine nasal spray as a prophylactic strategy against SARS-CoV-2 infections, larger trials are warranted to confirm efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 and to explore potential benefits against other respiratory pathogens across more diverse populations and settings."
The study was conducted at the Saarland University Hospital in Germany from March 2023 to July 2024.