USF, Tampa General Hospital join nationwide COVID treatment study

From Bay News 9. January 28, 2022.

The University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital have joined onto a nationwide study to look at existing medications as possible treatments for COVID-19 infections. 

According to the ACTIV-6 study’s website, the Duke Clinical Research Institute coordinating the study along with Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

To be eligible for the study, an individual must be at least 30 years old, have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 10 days and have at least two symptoms, including fatigue, difficulty breathing, fever, couch, and nausea, among others. 

ACTIV-6 is a nationwide double-blind study that is expected to eventually have nearly 15,000 participants. People can participate from any part of the United States via the study’s website or by calling 833-385-1880.

Medications currently being studies include fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; fluticasone, an inhaled steroid; and ivermectin, which is used to treat parasitic infections.

USF’s Dr. Jason Wilson said participants will not have to leave their homes to be a part of the study.

“If you decide to take part in our study, our team reaches out to you, we have a conversation and get you medicine delivered the next day to your house in the mail,” he said. “So, really all the encounters will happen by phone and by mail, and you’ll always have that research team available to answer your questions.”

Author: Jason Wilson, MD

Jason W. Wilson, MD, MA, FACEP is an emergency medicine physician at Tampa General Hospital. He serves as a core faculty member and Associate Professor in the Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine at the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida. He also holds an affiliated faculty appointment with the Department of Anthropology at the University of South Florida. Dr. Wilson serves as the Medical Director for the Clinical Decision Unit at Tampa General Hospital as well as the Associate Medical Director for the Adult ED. In addition, Dr. Wilson is the research director for the emergency medicine residency program.