Inhaled Fluticasone fails to speed recovery in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 cases

In a recent trial published in the NEJM, it was found that the use of inhaled fluticasone furoate, a glucocorticoid, did not significantly shorten the time to recovery or prevent hospitalization or death among outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment in COVID-19 patients and whether it could alleviate symptoms or reduce the need for hospitalization.

The trial involved non-hospitalized adults aged 30 or older who exhibited at least two COVID-19 symptoms, with symptom duration not exceeding seven days before enrollment. Participants were randomly assigned to receive inhaled fluticasone furoate at a daily dose of 200 μg for 14 days or a placebo.

Out of the 1,407 participants who were enrolled and randomized, 715 received inhaled fluticasone furoate, and 692 received the placebo. After the analysis, 656 and 621 participants, respectively, were included in the study's outcomes. The results did not show any significant evidence that the use of inhaled fluticasone furoate led to a shorter time to recovery compared to the placebo.

Additionally, 3.7% of participants in the fluticasone furoate group experienced urgent-care or emergency department visits or were hospitalized, while 2.1% of those in the placebo group faced similar outcomes. Although more participants in the fluticasone furoate group were affected, the difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, the study found that a 14-day treatment with inhaled fluticasone furoate did not lead to a quicker recovery among outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

Reference: September 21, 2023, N Engl J Med 2023; 389:1085-1095, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2209421