Doctors Hospital at Renaissance is launching a study that will test whether a drug can prevent the development of severe symptoms caused by COVID-19.
The DHR Health Institute for Research and Development started an outpatient study for an oral medication, Camostat Mesilate, that has been previously used to treat abdominal pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis, according to a news release issued by DHR Health.
But the way the medication works demonstrates that it can block the cellular entry of the coronavirus, according to the news release.
“We are very excited to initiate this clinical study that would allow us to use oral medication in an outpatient setting to prevent or stop the progression of COVID-19 disease” Dr. Sohail Rao, president and CEO of DHR-IRD, said. “This initiative is part of our expanded partnership with National Institutes of Health to offer a variety of treatment options to patients with COVID-19 in our Mobile Research Unit.”
For the study, DHR is looking for participants who are 18 years of age or older and have documented proof they tested positive for COVID-19 either through a PCR or a rapid antigen test.
Those individuals must also be within eight days since the onset of symptoms.
If they are eligible to participate in the study, the patient will receive either the actual medication or a placebo drug for seven days.
During that period, the individual will have to take the drug or the placebo four times a day and will be closely monitored for a period of 28 days after the start of the treatment.
There is no cost to the patient to take part in the study. Instead, the participants will receive a stipend and transportation services will also be provided if needed.
Those interested in getting more information about signing up for the study can call DHR Health Institute for Research and Development at (956) 362-2393 or visit DHRResearch.org.
