The main aim of this study is to determine the effects of short-term treatment with hesperidin on COVID-19 symptoms in comparison with a placebo. Treatment effects will be observed through a symptoms diary that will be completed by participants throughout the study and by taking the oral temperature daily.
This will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The study will include
subjects from Quebec diagnosed with COVID-19 infections. Following informed consent, 216
subjects meeting all inclusion and no exclusion criteria will be randomized to receive either
hesperidin 1000 mg once daily (q.d.)) or placebo (1:1 allocation ratio) for 14 days.
Investigational drug will be delivered to the patients' homes with an electronic oral
thermometer and a symptoms diary. Follow-up phone assessments will occur after 3, 7, 10, and
14 days following randomization for evaluation of COVID-19 symptoms. Electronic Case Report
Form (eCRF) will be completed by the research personnel over the phone with the patients. The
symptoms diary will be mailed back to the coordinating center at the end of the study in a
pre-addressed envelope.
Drug: Hesperidin
Patients will receive study medication Hesperidin and will take 2 capsules of 500mg at the same time in the evening, at bedtime with water.
Drug: Placebo
Patients will receive study medication Placebo and will take 2 capsules of 500mg at the same time in the evening, at bedtime with water.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Covid-19 positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing;
- Participant must be able to evaluate their symptoms and report them in the symptoms
diary;
- Patients must be able to take their oral temperature daily with an electronic
thermometer provided to them with study materials;
- Males and females, at least 18 years of age, capable and willing to provide informed
consent;
- Female patient is either not of childbearing potential, defined as postmenopausal for
at least 1 year or surgically sterile, or is of childbearing potential and practicing
at least one method of contraception and preferably two complementary forms of
contraception including a barrier method (e.g. male or female condoms, spermicides,
sponges, foams, jellies, diaphragm, intrauterine device (IUD)) throughout the study;
- Patient must have received a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection within the last 48 hours
and have one or more symptoms;
- Outpatient setting (not currently hospitalized or under immediate consideration for
hospitalization);
- Patient must be able and willing to comply with the requirements of this study
protocol.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patient currently hospitalized or under immediate consideration for hospitalization;
- Patient currently in shock or with hemodynamic instability;
- Patient undergoing chemotherapy for cancer;
- Patient is unable to take oral temperature using an electronic thermometer;
- Patient who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine;
- Female patient who is pregnant or breast-feeding or is considering becoming pregnant
during the study;
- People taking anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications, those with bleeding disorders,
and people two weeks before or after surgery;
- Patient is considered by the investigator, for any reason, to be an unsuitable
candidate for the study;
- Regular consumption of natural products containing more than 150 mg of hesperidin or
regular consumption of more than 1 glass of orange juice per day;
- Known allergy to any of the medicinal and non-medicinal ingredient: hesperidin,
microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate.
Montreal Heart Institute
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Jocelyn Dupuis, MD, Principal Investigator
Montreal Heart Institute