Efficacy and Safety of Nitazoxanide for the Treatment of Hospitalized Patients With Moderate COVID-19

This is a proof of concept study to evaluate the efficacy of nitazoxanide (600 mg BID) to treat hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19.

The aim is to demonstrate a decrease in hospital related complications among patients who are hospitalized with moderate COVID-19 by treating them with nitazoxanide for 7 days on top of standard care compared to patients who receive standard care and placebo.

Patients hospitalized with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 will be randomized to receive either nitazoxanide or placebo.

Inclusion criteria

• Informed consent from patient or legal representative.
• Male or female, aged ≥ 18 years;
• Laboratory confirmation of 2019-nCoV infection by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from any diagnostic sampling source;
• Signs of respiratory failure requiring oxygen therapy
• Hospitalized for up to 36h with non-invasive ventilation
• Negative result for pregnancy test (if applicable).

Exclusion criteria

• Participating in another RCT in the past 12 months;
• Known allergy to nitazoxanide
• Severely reduced LV function;
• Severely reduced renal function;
• Pregnancy or breast feeding;
• Use of hydroxychloroquine and/or azithromycin in the past 15 days;
• Any other clinical condition which, in the opinion of the principal investigator, would not allow safe completion of the protocol and safe administration of the investigational products