Contactless Clinical Trial for COVID-19 Treatment

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine are testing a medicine for patients who have mild symptoms in the early course of COVID-19 treatment.

What is the purpose of this study?

STOP COVID Trial is a randomized controlled trial that aims to help slow the progression of COVID-19 symptoms in mildly symptomatic patients in Missouri & Illinois. The study is contactless meaning volunteers may participate without leaving their home. We hope our study will demonstrate whether or not taking a medication, fluvoxamine, will help to prevent worsening of symptoms and prevent hospitalization.

COMING SOON!

We are not currently enrolling new participants but we are preparing to launch the next phase of the STOP COVID trial later this month.

Click below to see if you may be eligible today!

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Am I eligible to participate?

You may be eligible if you:

  • Are age 18 or older
  • Tested positive for COVID-19
  • Are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19

You may be ineligible if you:

  • Are experiencing severe symptoms that require hospitalization
  • Are unable to take the study medication, fluvoxamine

What will happen if I choose to participate?

If you are eligible and choose to participate:

  • You may be asked to take a safe dose of fluvoxamine or placebo for approximately 15 days.
  • You may be asked to log symptoms twice daily.
  • You may be asked to complete additional surveys approximately 3 months after you begin taking the study medication.
  • Your participation may last approximately 3 month.

Get in touch to learn more or to see if you may be eligible today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Fluvoxamine is used to treat OCD, why is this medicine being used to treat COVID-19 symptoms?

Fluvoxamine may benefit COVID-19 patients by slowing the progression of symptoms. It is safe, inexpensive, and FDA-approved.  Using FDA-approved medicines for a new purpose, drug repurposing, is used to test new treatments more quickly compared to developing new medicines.

I am certain I had/have COVID-19 but was never tested, am I eligible to participate?

For the purposes of this trial, only individuals who actually tested positive for COVID-19 may be eligible. 

Will I be compensated for being in the study?

You will be paid up to $150 if you finish the whole study.

Will the study team be in touch with my physician during the study?

The study team may notify your primary care provider of your participation. STOP COVID-19 is a  clinical trial and will not replace standard or emergency medical care.

What does it mean to be a randomized controlled trial or RCT?

STOP COVID Trial is a randomized controlled trial. This type of study compares the effects of one treatment, safe dosage of fluvoxamine, to a placebo. A placebo is a substance that has no therapeutic effect.

You and the other study participants will have your treatment assigned randomly, like flipping a coin or rolling the dice. You will not get to choose which treatment to try. Your treatment assignment will also be kept a secret from you and the members of the research team who are evaluating you. This is to keep the expectations about the treatment from influencing the measurement of its effects.

This study design is necessary to rigorously test a new treatment.

Is this study open to volunteers anywhere in the U.S.?

At this time, STOP COVID Trial is only open to volunteers residing in Missouri or Illinois.

How do I get tested for COVID-19?

If you are experiencing symptoms such as a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing and you believe you may have been exposed, start by calling your primary care physician or family physician.

Additional information is available online through your local health department.

For residents of Missouri or Illinois, more information can be found at the links below:

The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services COVID-19 Outbreak Page

The State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Page

Will I experience any side effects from taking Fluvoxamine?

Uncommon Side Effects of FLUVOXAMINE (1-10%)

  • Dizziness
  • Weight loss or loss of appetite
  • Agitation, nervousness, or anxiety
  • Yawning
  • Trouble sleeping or excessive sleepiness
  • Tremor
  • Headache
  • Palpitations (feeling your heart beating)
  • High heart rate
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Sweating
  • Weakness or feeling of malaise
  • Dry mouth
  • Sexual dysfunction (delayed orgasm or reduced libido)

    However, if you experience any of the following rare side effects (<1%) — painful joints, hallucinations, confusion, drop in blood pressure while standing, rash or itchy skin, main (elevated mood), seizures, abnormal liver function,  light sensitivity— contact your doctor or STOP COVID Trial staff immediately.

    How do I receive the medication in a contactless study?

    The study medication and self-monitoring equipment such as an oxygen saturation monitor (which goes on your fingertip and measures how much oxygen is in your blood), blood pressure monitor, and thermometer will be delivered following a no contact protocol. 

    What are the benefits of participating in this study?

    You may or may not benefit from being in this study. However, we hope that, in the future, other people might benefit from this study because the results will provide more knowledge on the effectiveness of fluvoxamine in the treatment for COVID-19.

    This research is supported by:

    HRPO IRB #202004023

    For more information about Washington University in St. Louis’s response to the COVID -19 Pandemic visit coronavirus.med.wustl.edu.