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An over-the-counter allergy spray just made COVID infections three times less likely. A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine tested azelastine, an antihistamine spray sold under names like Astelin and Astepro. Used for decades to ease symptoms of hay fever and dust allergies, it’s now being investigated for its potential to prevent viral infections. In this double-blind study, 450 healthy adults – almost all already vaccinated – were split into two groups. One group sprayed azelastine into their nostrils three times daily for eight weeks, while the other used a placebo. Participants were tested twice a week. By the end, only 2.2% of the azelastine group had tested positive for COVID-19, compared with 6.7% in the placebo group. Not only were infections less common, they also cleared faster: just over three days versus more than five. On top of this, fewer participants on azelastine caught other respiratory illnesses like influenza and rhinovirus, and when they did, their symptoms resolved more quickly. ["Azelastine Nasal Spray for Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infections: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial." 2025]