A pilot study of the ability of povidone-iodine (PVP-I) 0.5% aqueous solution oral/nasal spray and mouthwash to kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus in people with COVID-19

A pilot study of virucidal activity of povidone-iodine (PVP-I) 0.5% aqueous solution oral/nasal spray and mouthwash in people with COVID-19 and confirmed oral/nasal shedding of SARS-CoV-2

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN13447477

Enrollment

Registered

2020-05-22

Start date

2020-11-04

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-11-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) Infections and Infestations COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection)

Interventions

The study will be conducted on 25 participants in a hospital setting. Each study participant will give a sample of saliva then use a spray or mouthwash/gargle of PVP-I for one minute followed by PVP-I

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Adults aged =18 years and =75 years 2. Have confirmed COVID-19 symptoms and symptom onset within the past 10 days 3. Recently (within last 3-4 days) hospitalised with COVID-19 disease 4. COVID-19 disease proven by PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 within the last 4 days 5. Capable of using a nasal spray device and the mouthwash required by the trial 6. Capacity and capability to give informed consent to take part in the trial

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Known sensitivity to PVP-I aqueous antiseptic solution or any of its listed excipients 2. Previously diagnosed thyroid disease 3. Chronic renal failure (stage =3 by eGFR MDRD) 4. Acute renal failure (KDIGO =stage 2: creatinine =2x baseline) 5. Known pregnancy or currently breastfeeding 6. Current requirement for invasive or non-invasive ventilation or planned within next 6 hours 7. Patient undergoing or soon to undergo radioiodine treatment 8. Known dermatitis herpetiformis (Duhring's disease) 9. Current participation in research that is designed to, or is expected to alter the COVID-19 disease course or viral load. 10. Inability to communicate in English or read English

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Amounts of cultured SARS-CoV-2 and quantitative PCR results of viral RNA in saliva and nasal samples at baseline, and 5 further time points up to 2 h after administration. Results will be expressed as actual counts per ml saliva and the mean log reduction after application of PVP-I determined, taking into account any dilution effect by the mouthwash or spray which will be analysed in a control group given water instead of PVP-I	—

Measure

Time frame

Amounts of cultured SARS-CoV-2 and quantitative PCR results of viral RNA in saliva and nasal samples at baseline, and 5 further time points up to 2 h after administration. Results will be expressed as actual counts per ml saliva and the mean log reduction after application of PVP-I determined, taking into account any dilution effect by the mouthwash or spray which will be analysed in a control group given water instead of PVP-I

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Salivary viral loads after administration of PVP-I nasal spray or PVP-I mouthwash, at baseline, 5, and 20 min	—

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026