Interferon Alpha Lozenges in the Prevention of Winter Colds and Flu
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-03-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The aim of the study is to see if lozenges containing a low dose of interferon-alpha can
prevent and/or reduce the severity of colds and flu. Starting about 1 month before the
expected start of the winter colds and flu season in Perth, Australia, healthy volunteers
will allow a lozenge containing interferon, or a lozenge containing no medicine (a placebo),
to dissolve in their mouth once a day for 16 weeks. Blood tests at the start and end of
treatment will determine whether interferon was able to prevent infections with cold/flu
viruses. Once a week, volunteers will complete a survey about their cold/flu symptoms,
medications taken, days of work missed, etc. to see if interferon was able to make their
winter colds and flu less severe.