Trial Outcomes & Findings for Azithromycin for COVID-19 Treatment in Outpatients Nationwide (NCT NCT04332107)

NCT ID: NCT04332107

Last Updated: 2023-03-02

Results Overview

Binary assessment of whether the participant is experiencing any symptoms at Day 14 (yes or no)

Recruitment status

TERMINATED

Study phase

PHASE3

Target enrollment

263 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

14 days

Results posted on

2023-03-02

Participant Flow

Between May 22, 2020 and March 16, 2021, 604 participants were screened and 263 participants were enrolled. All study recruitment and enrollment was done remotely.

Common reasons for ineligibility included a negative COVID-19 test result (n=70), a COVID-19 test result outside of the 7 day window (n=118), could not be reached for consent (n=73), and under the age of 18 (19). A total of 341 screened participants were excluded.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Azithromycin
1.2g of oral azithromycin Azithromycin: Participants will be shipped a single 1.2 g dose of oral azithromycin
Placebo
Matching placebo Placebos: Participants will be shipped a dose of matching placebo
Day 3
STARTED
171
92
Day 3
COMPLETED
145
72
Day 3
NOT COMPLETED
26
20
Day 14
STARTED
148
78
Day 14
COMPLETED
131
70
Day 14
NOT COMPLETED
17
8
Day 21
STARTED
135
74
Day 21
COMPLETED
125
72
Day 21
NOT COMPLETED
10
2

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Azithromycin
1.2g of oral azithromycin Azithromycin: Participants will be shipped a single 1.2 g dose of oral azithromycin
Placebo
Matching placebo Placebos: Participants will be shipped a dose of matching placebo
Day 3
Lost to Follow-up
23
14
Day 3
Missing outcome data
3
6
Day 14
Lost to Follow-up
13
4
Day 14
Missing outcome data
4
4
Day 21
Lost to Follow-up
10
2

Baseline Characteristics

3 participants did not provide their gender information

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Azithromycin
n=171 Participants
1.2g of oral azithromycin Azithromycin: Participants will be shipped a single 1.2 g dose of oral azithromycin
Placebo
n=92 Participants
Matching placebo Placebos: Participants will be shipped a dose of matching placebo
Total
n=263 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
42 years
n=171 Participants
44 years
n=92 Participants
43 years
n=263 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
117 Participants
n=168 Participants • 3 participants did not provide their gender information
57 Participants
n=92 Participants • 3 participants did not provide their gender information
174 Participants
n=260 Participants • 3 participants did not provide their gender information
Sex: Female, Male
Male
51 Participants
n=168 Participants • 3 participants did not provide their gender information
35 Participants
n=92 Participants • 3 participants did not provide their gender information
86 Participants
n=260 Participants • 3 participants did not provide their gender information
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Non-Hispanic White
94 Participants
n=171 Participants
56 Participants
n=92 Participants
150 Participants
n=263 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Latinx/Hispanic
49 Participants
n=171 Participants
27 Participants
n=92 Participants
76 Participants
n=263 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Non-Hispanic Black
11 Participants
n=171 Participants
1 Participants
n=92 Participants
12 Participants
n=263 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Non-Hispanic Asian
6 Participants
n=171 Participants
3 Participants
n=92 Participants
9 Participants
n=263 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Mixed Race
4 Participants
n=171 Participants
3 Participants
n=92 Participants
7 Participants
n=263 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Non-Hispanic Middle Eastern/Arab
2 Participants
n=171 Participants
1 Participants
n=92 Participants
3 Participants
n=263 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Prefer not to answer
1 Participants
n=171 Participants
0 Participants
n=92 Participants
1 Participants
n=263 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Not reported (missing)
4 Participants
n=171 Participants
0 Participants
n=92 Participants
4 Participants
n=263 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Non-Hispanic Native American
0 Participants
n=171 Participants
1 Participants
n=92 Participants
1 Participants
n=263 Participants
Geographic region
West
79 Participants
n=171 Participants
40 Participants
n=92 Participants
119 Participants
n=263 Participants
Geographic region
Southeast
38 Participants
n=171 Participants
14 Participants
n=92 Participants
52 Participants
n=263 Participants
Geographic region
Southwest
24 Participants
n=171 Participants
16 Participants
n=92 Participants
40 Participants
n=263 Participants
Geographic region
Midwest
21 Participants
n=171 Participants
16 Participants
n=92 Participants
37 Participants
n=263 Participants
Geographic region
Northeast
9 Participants
n=171 Participants
6 Participants
n=92 Participants
15 Participants
n=263 Participants
Alcohol consumption >3x/week
23 Participants
n=171 Participants
9 Participants
n=92 Participants
32 Participants
n=263 Participants
Current cigarette smoker
13 Participants
n=171 Participants
5 Participants
n=92 Participants
18 Participants
n=263 Participants
Current marijuana user
9 Participants
n=171 Participants
6 Participants
n=92 Participants
15 Participants
n=263 Participants
Current e-cigarette/vaping
8 Participants
n=171 Participants
2 Participants
n=92 Participants
10 Participants
n=263 Participants
Current cigar use
1 Participants
n=171 Participants
1 Participants
n=92 Participants
2 Participants
n=263 Participants
Comorbidities
Asthma
21 Participants
n=171 Participants
11 Participants
n=92 Participants
32 Participants
n=263 Participants
Comorbidities
Hypertension
20 Participants
n=171 Participants
12 Participants
n=92 Participants
32 Participants
n=263 Participants
Comorbidities
Diabetes
5 Participants
n=171 Participants
5 Participants
n=92 Participants
10 Participants
n=263 Participants
Comorbidities
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
4 Participants
n=171 Participants
0 Participants
n=92 Participants
4 Participants
n=263 Participants
Comorbidities
Chronic kidney disease
1 Participants
n=171 Participants
1 Participants
n=92 Participants
2 Participants
n=263 Participants
Comorbidities
Cancer
1 Participants
n=171 Participants
0 Participants
n=92 Participants
1 Participants
n=263 Participants
Comorbidities
Stroke
1 Participants
n=171 Participants
1 Participants
n=92 Participants
2 Participants
n=263 Participants
Recent macrolide use (<30 days)
22 Participants
n=171 Participants
11 Participants
n=92 Participants
33 Participants
n=263 Participants
Recent hydroxychloroquine use (<7 days)
1 Participants
n=171 Participants
0 Participants
n=92 Participants
1 Participants
n=263 Participants
Current medications
ACE/ARB inhibitor
15 Participants
n=171 Participants
14 Participants
n=92 Participants
29 Participants
n=263 Participants
Current medications
Metformin
4 Participants
n=171 Participants
3 Participants
n=92 Participants
7 Participants
n=263 Participants
Current medications
Omeprazole
1 Participants
n=171 Participants
1 Participants
n=92 Participants
2 Participants
n=263 Participants
Current medications
Tacrolimus
1 Participants
n=171 Participants
0 Participants
n=92 Participants
1 Participants
n=263 Participants
Current vitamin/supplement use
Vitamin D
64 Participants
n=171 Participants
37 Participants
n=92 Participants
101 Participants
n=263 Participants
Current vitamin/supplement use
Vitamin C
61 Participants
n=171 Participants
33 Participants
n=92 Participants
94 Participants
n=263 Participants
Current vitamin/supplement use
Multivitamin
52 Participants
n=171 Participants
27 Participants
n=92 Participants
79 Participants
n=263 Participants
Current vitamin/supplement use
Zinc
49 Participants
n=171 Participants
20 Participants
n=92 Participants
69 Participants
n=263 Participants
Current vitamin/supplement use
Omega-3 fatty acid
14 Participants
n=171 Participants
6 Participants
n=92 Participants
20 Participants
n=263 Participants
Self-reported symptoms
Multiple symptoms
152 Participants
n=171 Participants
82 Participants
n=92 Participants
234 Participants
n=263 Participants
Self-reported symptoms
Cough
111 Participants
n=171 Participants
61 Participants
n=92 Participants
172 Participants
n=263 Participants
Self-reported symptoms
Fatigue
107 Participants
n=171 Participants
55 Participants
n=92 Participants
162 Participants
n=263 Participants
Self-reported symptoms
Fever
87 Participants
n=171 Participants
40 Participants
n=92 Participants
127 Participants
n=263 Participants
Self-reported symptoms
Myalgia
82 Participants
n=171 Participants
40 Participants
n=92 Participants
122 Participants
n=263 Participants
Self-reported symptoms
Anosmia
80 Participants
n=171 Participants
39 Participants
n=92 Participants
119 Participants
n=263 Participants
Self-reported symptoms
Sore throat
71 Participants
n=171 Participants
37 Participants
n=92 Participants
108 Participants
n=263 Participants
Self-reported symptoms
Diarrhea
45 Participants
n=171 Participants
20 Participants
n=92 Participants
65 Participants
n=263 Participants
Self-reported symptoms
Shortness of breath
45 Participants
n=171 Participants
17 Participants
n=92 Participants
62 Participants
n=263 Participants
Self-reported symptoms
Dizziness
39 Participants
n=171 Participants
15 Participants
n=92 Participants
54 Participants
n=263 Participants
Self-reported symptoms
Abdominal pain
29 Participants
n=171 Participants
12 Participants
n=92 Participants
41 Participants
n=263 Participants
Self-reported symptoms
None
12 Participants
n=171 Participants
6 Participants
n=92 Participants
18 Participants
n=263 Participants
Self-reported symptoms
Conjunctivitis
8 Participants
n=171 Participants
2 Participants
n=92 Participants
10 Participants
n=263 Participants
Number of symptoms
5 Number of symptoms
n=171 Participants
4 Number of symptoms
n=92 Participants
4 Number of symptoms
n=263 Participants
Duration of symptoms prior to test
3 days
n=171 Participants
3 days
n=92 Participants
3 days
n=263 Participants
Days between positive test and enrollment
3 days
n=171 Participants
2 days
n=92 Participants
3 days
n=263 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 14 days

Population: Percentage of participants who were symptom free at day 14 by randomized treatment group, overall and in pre-specified subgroups. Note that a single participant in the Azithromycin group did not have baseline symptom information.

Binary assessment of whether the participant is experiencing any symptoms at Day 14 (yes or no)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Azithromycin
n=131 Participants
1.2g of oral azithromycin Azithromycin: Participants will be shipped a single 1.2 g dose of oral azithromycin
Placebo
n=70 Participants
Matching placebo Placebos: Participants will be shipped a dose of matching placebo
Number of Participants Who Were Symptom Free at Day 14
Overall
66 Participants
35 Participants
Number of Participants Who Were Symptom Free at Day 14
Age <= 60 years
61 Participants
31 Participants
Number of Participants Who Were Symptom Free at Day 14
Age > 60 years
5 Participants
4 Participants
Number of Participants Who Were Symptom Free at Day 14
Asymptomatic at baseline
9 Participants
3 Participants
Number of Participants Who Were Symptom Free at Day 14
Symptomatic at baseline
57 Participants
32 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 days

Population: Participants whose samples were received back by the study team. The trial was terminated for futility, funding was withdraw and samples not analyzed and will never be analyzed

Viral load by self-collected nasal swab

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 days

Population: Participants whose samples were received back by the study team. The trial was terminated for futility, funding was withdraw and samples not analyzed and won't ever be analyzed

Viral load by self-collected saliva swab

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 14 days

Population: This outcome is based on the 125 participants in the azithromycin group and the 72 participants in the placebo group who completed the trial.

All-cause mortality

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Azithromycin
n=125 Participants
1.2g of oral azithromycin Azithromycin: Participants will be shipped a single 1.2 g dose of oral azithromycin
Placebo
n=72 Participants
Matching placebo Placebos: Participants will be shipped a dose of matching placebo
Mortality
0 Participants
0 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 days

Population: Adverse events were recorded at day 3 of the trial via an online questionnaire. Other adverse events were recorded in an open text field and included stomach cramps, light headedness, fatigue, ansomia, cough, and painful respiration.

Percentage of participants experiencing adverse events, including gastrointestinal side effects and rash

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Azithromycin
n=145 Participants
1.2g of oral azithromycin Azithromycin: Participants will be shipped a single 1.2 g dose of oral azithromycin
Placebo
n=72 Participants
Matching placebo Placebos: Participants will be shipped a dose of matching placebo
Adverse Events
Diarrhea
60 Participants
12 Participants
Adverse Events
Nausea
32 Participants
7 Participants
Adverse Events
Abdominal Pain
25 Participants
1 Participants
Adverse Events
Vomiting
5 Participants
2 Participants
Adverse Events
Rash
4 Participants
2 Participants
Adverse Events
Other
10 Participants
3 Participants
Adverse Events
None
9 Participants
45 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 days

Population: Participants whose samples were received back by the study team. The trial was terminated for futility, funding was withdraw and samples not analyzed and won't ever be analyzed

Prevalence of positive SARS-CoV-2 test by self-collected nasal swab

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 days

Population: Participants whose samples were received back by the study team. The trial was terminated for futility, funding was withdraw and samples not analyzed and won't ever be analyzed

Prevalence of positive SARS-CoV-2 test by self-collected saliva swab

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 days

Population: Participants whose samples were received back by the study team. The trial was terminated for futility, funding was withdraw and samples not analyzed and won't ever be analyzed

Prevalence of positive SARS-CoV-2 test by self-collected rectal swab

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 days

Population: Participants whose samples were received back by the study team. The trial was terminated for futility, funding was withdraw and samples not analyzed and won't ever be analyzed

Prevalence of genetic macrolide resistance determinants by self-collected rectal swab

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Cumulative over 21 days reported (assessed at 3, 7, 14, 21 days)

Prevalence of cough, fever, myalgia, anosmia, shortness of breath, fatigue, conjunctivitis, and orthostatic symptoms through Day 21

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Azithromycin
n=125 Participants
1.2g of oral azithromycin Azithromycin: Participants will be shipped a single 1.2 g dose of oral azithromycin
Placebo
n=72 Participants
Matching placebo Placebos: Participants will be shipped a dose of matching placebo
Secondary Outcomes Through Day 21
Other
10 Participants
9 Participants
Secondary Outcomes Through Day 21
Absence of symptoms
71 Participants
43 Participants
Secondary Outcomes Through Day 21
Fever
1 Participants
1 Participants
Secondary Outcomes Through Day 21
Cough
14 Participants
13 Participants
Secondary Outcomes Through Day 21
Diarrhea
4 Participants
1 Participants
Secondary Outcomes Through Day 21
Abdominal pain
0 Participants
1 Participants
Secondary Outcomes Through Day 21
Anosmia
12 Participants
9 Participants
Secondary Outcomes Through Day 21
Conjunctivitis
2 Participants
0 Participants
Secondary Outcomes Through Day 21
Sore throat
4 Participants
4 Participants
Secondary Outcomes Through Day 21
Shortness of breath
16 Participants
4 Participants
Secondary Outcomes Through Day 21
Myalgia
5 Participants
3 Participants
Secondary Outcomes Through Day 21
Fatigue
32 Participants
17 Participants
Secondary Outcomes Through Day 21
Dizziness
6 Participants
3 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 21 days

Population: Number of patients who reported emergency room visit information through Day 21

Number of emergency room visits \<24 hours

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Azithromycin
n=125 Participants
1.2g of oral azithromycin Azithromycin: Participants will be shipped a single 1.2 g dose of oral azithromycin
Placebo
n=72 Participants
Matching placebo Placebos: Participants will be shipped a dose of matching placebo
Number of Participants With Emergency Room Visits
18 Participants
2 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 21 days

Population: Includes the total number of participants from 69 households in the placebo group and 134 households in the azithromycin group

Number of household members with confirmed or symptomatic COVID-19 through Day 21

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Azithromycin
n=522 Participants
1.2g of oral azithromycin Azithromycin: Participants will be shipped a single 1.2 g dose of oral azithromycin
Placebo
n=278 Participants
Matching placebo Placebos: Participants will be shipped a dose of matching placebo
Number of Household Members With COVID-19 (Confirmed or Symptomatic)
33 Participants
20 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 21 days

Population: Participants that completed the day 21 questionnaire were included in this secondary analysis.

Deaths within the study

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Azithromycin
n=125 Participants
1.2g of oral azithromycin Azithromycin: Participants will be shipped a single 1.2 g dose of oral azithromycin
Placebo
n=72 Participants
Matching placebo Placebos: Participants will be shipped a dose of matching placebo
Number of Participants That Died
0 Participants
0 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 21 Days

Population: Number of patients who reported hospitalization information through Day 21

Number of hospitalizations defined as a hospital stay or ER stay longer than 24 hours through 21 days post enrollment

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Azithromycin
n=125 Participants
1.2g of oral azithromycin Azithromycin: Participants will be shipped a single 1.2 g dose of oral azithromycin
Placebo
n=72 Participants
Matching placebo Placebos: Participants will be shipped a dose of matching placebo
Number of Participants Reporting Hospitalization
5 Participants
0 Participants

Adverse Events

Azithromycin

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 132 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Placebo

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 25 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Azithromycin
n=145 participants at risk
1.2g of oral azithromycin Azithromycin: Participants will be shipped a single 1.2 g dose of oral azithromycin
Placebo
n=72 participants at risk
Matching placebo Placebos: Participants will be shipped a dose of matching placebo
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea
41.4%
60/145 • 21 days
Participants completed a survey at day 3 where they were asked if they had experienced any of the following symptoms since they took their study medication to assess possible adverse events: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, rash, or abdominal pain. Participants were asked at every time point if they had stayed in a hospital setting (defined as in the emergency department or admitted to the hospital for \>= 24 hours) and/or if they had visited an emergency department or urgent care center.
16.7%
12/72 • 21 days
Participants completed a survey at day 3 where they were asked if they had experienced any of the following symptoms since they took their study medication to assess possible adverse events: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, rash, or abdominal pain. Participants were asked at every time point if they had stayed in a hospital setting (defined as in the emergency department or admitted to the hospital for \>= 24 hours) and/or if they had visited an emergency department or urgent care center.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
22.1%
32/145 • 21 days
Participants completed a survey at day 3 where they were asked if they had experienced any of the following symptoms since they took their study medication to assess possible adverse events: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, rash, or abdominal pain. Participants were asked at every time point if they had stayed in a hospital setting (defined as in the emergency department or admitted to the hospital for \>= 24 hours) and/or if they had visited an emergency department or urgent care center.
9.7%
7/72 • 21 days
Participants completed a survey at day 3 where they were asked if they had experienced any of the following symptoms since they took their study medication to assess possible adverse events: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, rash, or abdominal pain. Participants were asked at every time point if they had stayed in a hospital setting (defined as in the emergency department or admitted to the hospital for \>= 24 hours) and/or if they had visited an emergency department or urgent care center.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal pain
17.2%
25/145 • 21 days
Participants completed a survey at day 3 where they were asked if they had experienced any of the following symptoms since they took their study medication to assess possible adverse events: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, rash, or abdominal pain. Participants were asked at every time point if they had stayed in a hospital setting (defined as in the emergency department or admitted to the hospital for \>= 24 hours) and/or if they had visited an emergency department or urgent care center.
1.4%
1/72 • 21 days
Participants completed a survey at day 3 where they were asked if they had experienced any of the following symptoms since they took their study medication to assess possible adverse events: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, rash, or abdominal pain. Participants were asked at every time point if they had stayed in a hospital setting (defined as in the emergency department or admitted to the hospital for \>= 24 hours) and/or if they had visited an emergency department or urgent care center.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Vomiting
3.4%
5/145 • 21 days
Participants completed a survey at day 3 where they were asked if they had experienced any of the following symptoms since they took their study medication to assess possible adverse events: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, rash, or abdominal pain. Participants were asked at every time point if they had stayed in a hospital setting (defined as in the emergency department or admitted to the hospital for \>= 24 hours) and/or if they had visited an emergency department or urgent care center.
2.8%
2/72 • 21 days
Participants completed a survey at day 3 where they were asked if they had experienced any of the following symptoms since they took their study medication to assess possible adverse events: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, rash, or abdominal pain. Participants were asked at every time point if they had stayed in a hospital setting (defined as in the emergency department or admitted to the hospital for \>= 24 hours) and/or if they had visited an emergency department or urgent care center.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Other
6.9%
10/145 • 21 days
Participants completed a survey at day 3 where they were asked if they had experienced any of the following symptoms since they took their study medication to assess possible adverse events: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, rash, or abdominal pain. Participants were asked at every time point if they had stayed in a hospital setting (defined as in the emergency department or admitted to the hospital for \>= 24 hours) and/or if they had visited an emergency department or urgent care center.
4.2%
3/72 • 21 days
Participants completed a survey at day 3 where they were asked if they had experienced any of the following symptoms since they took their study medication to assess possible adverse events: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, rash, or abdominal pain. Participants were asked at every time point if they had stayed in a hospital setting (defined as in the emergency department or admitted to the hospital for \>= 24 hours) and/or if they had visited an emergency department or urgent care center.

Additional Information

Dr. Thomas Lietman, Director of the UCSF FI Proctor Foundation

University of California, San Francisco FI Proctor Foundation

Phone: 415-476-1442

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place