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. 2022 Dec 5;14(12):e32218.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.32218. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Efficacy and Safety of Inhalation of Nebulized Ethanol in COVID-19 Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Ali Amoushahi  1 , Elham Moazam  2 , Amin Reza Tabatabaei  3 , Golnaz Ghasimi  3 , Ian Grant-Whyte  4 , Pietro Salvatori  5 , Ahmed Ragab Ezz  6
Affiliations

Efficacy and Safety of Inhalation of Nebulized Ethanol in COVID-19 Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Ali Amoushahi et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Many efforts have been made and are currently being made to prevent and treat this global disease.

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nebulized ethanol (EtOH) in treating COVID-19.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial (RCT) of 99 symptomatic and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-positive patients admitted to a hospital receiving remdesivir-dexamethasone was conducted. They were randomly assigned to receive distilled water spray (control group (CG)) or 35% EtOH spray (intervention group (IG)). Both groups inhaled three puffs of spray (nebulizer) every six hours for a week. The primary outcome included Global Symptomatic Score (GSS) between the two groups at the first visit and on days three, seven, and 14. Secondary outcomes included the Clinical Status Scale (CSS; a seven-point ordinal scale ranging from death to complete recovery) and readmission rate.

Results: A total of 44 and 55 patients were enrolled in the IG and CG, respectively. Although there was no difference at admission, the GSS and CSS improved significantly in the IG (p = 0.016 and p = 0.001, respectively). The IG readmission rate was considerably lower (0% vs. 10.9%; p = 0.02).

Conclusions: Inhaled-nebulized EtOH is effective in rapidly improving the clinical status and reducing further treatment. Due to its low cost, availability, and absent/tolerable adverse events, it could be recommended as an adjunctive treatment for moderate COVID-19. Further research on curative effects in more serious cases and in prevention is advisable.

Keywords: coronavirus disease; coronavirus disease 2019; covid-19; ethanol; inhalation; nebulized ethanol; nebulizer; sars-cov-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Study flowchart
Figure 2
Figure 2. Comparison of mean Global Symptomatic Score (GSS) between the intervention and the control groups at admission, and days three, seven, and 14 after admission
Figure 3
Figure 3. Comparison of mean blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) between the intervention and the control groups at admission, and days three, seven, and 14 after patient admission
Figure 4
Figure 4. Comparison of C-reactive protein between the intervention and control groups at admission and three days after patient admission
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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