NCT06721949 Taurine Supplementation in Long COVID
| NCT ID | NCT06721949 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | Phase 2, Phase 3 |
| Sponsor | University of Alberta |
| Condition | Long COVID |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 300 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-11-18 |
| Primary Completion | 2028-02 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
In Phase 2, researchers evaluate early signs of effectiveness. You may be randomized to receive the active treatment or a comparator. Monitoring continues closely.
This trial targets 300 participants in total. It began in 2025-11-18 with a primary completion date of 2028-02.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the globe, affecting millions of individuals with varying degrees of severity. While many individuals recover from the acute phase of the infection, a significant proportion continue to experience persistent and debilitating symptoms long after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. This condition, known as Long COVID (LC) or sometimes referred to as Post-COVID Condition (PCC) or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, has emerged as a complex multisystemic condition and challenging health issue, affecting approximately 10% of COVID-19 patients. Various symptoms characterize LC, including fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, and mood disturbances. Some of the symptoms are shared with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) - a condition marked by debilitating fatigue and a host of other symptoms without precise biomarkers or objective tests for diagnosis. Effective LC treatments remain elusive and LC patients continue to grapple with persistent symptoms that significantly impact their quality of life. Given the lack of effective treatments, it is imperative to explore novel therapeutic approaches that may alleviate the suffering of this patient population.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥18 years; 2. Positive COVID-19 test by nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR test, antibody or antigen tests at least 3 months prior to randomization; OR Presumed COVID-19 assessed by the site investigator (no positive COVID-19 test) with acute illness after October 15, 2019, and at least 3 months prior to randomization. 3. If participants have treatable symptoms, they should have had a stable regimen of treatment prior to entering the study (i.e. started treatment for at least 4 weeks). 4. Lingering COVID-19 symptoms beyond 3 months from onset of acute COVID and symptoms have lasted at least 2 months. The onset of COVID is considered the earliest of two dates: the date of positive testing or the date of first symptoms. 5. Lingering symptoms from COVID-19 present at the time of randomization. 6. Individuals of childbearing potential (as assessed by the overseeing Investigator) who are sexually active must agree to practice true abstinence or use at least one highly effective method of contraception while on study treatment. Highly effective methods of contraception must be discussed and approved by the overseeing Investigator (refer to Section 5 Contraception of the Master Protocol, and Section 13.1.2 of this protocol). 7. Must be able to provide informed consent and both willing and able to comply with study requirements. 8. Medications prescribed for treating fatigue or cognition have been discontinued for four weeks prior to enrolment and randomization. These include sildenafil, modafinil (Provigil), or armodafinil (Nuvigil), guanfacine, N-acetyl cysteine, and stimulant medications used for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients who had mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygen (ECMO) for COVID-19. 2. Current end-organ failure, organ transplantation, or current hospitalization in an acute care hospital. 3. Contraindications to the study intervention. 4. Currently already on study intervention(s). 5. Co-enrolment in another interventional trial (co-enrolment in an observational study is permitted). 6. Currently pregnant or breastfeeding. 7. The participant is currently enrolled in another clinical trial to treat neurocognitive symptoms in LC.
Contact & Investigator
Lawrence Richer, MD, MSc
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
University of Alberta
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06721949 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Long COVID. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
What phase is the NCT06721949 trial and what does that mean for participants?
Phase 2 trials evaluate whether the treatment shows signs of effectiveness while continuing to monitor safety. More participants are enrolled than in Phase 1 to help refine the treatment protocol.
Is NCT06721949 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06721949 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at lricher@ualberta.ca for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06721949 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Edmonton, Canada, Vancouver, Canada, Toronto, Canada, Montreal, Canada and 1 additional location.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06721949 clinical trial?
NCT06721949 is sponsored by University of Alberta. The principal investigator is Lawrence Richer, MD, MSc at University of Alberta. The trial plans to enroll 300 participants.
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