Effect of 1% Povidone Iodine Mouthwash/Gargle, Nasal and Eye Drop in COVID-19 patient

“Background:… Povidone iodine (PVP-I) is an antiseptic that has been used for over 150 years. It is already proved that different concentration of PVP-I can deactivate COVID-19 virus.

Methodology: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, out of 1113 patients, 606 patients were enrolled and divided in 2 groups by randomization after taken consents. In Gr-A, 303 patients underwent mouthwash/gargle, nasal drops and eye drops with 1% povidone iodine 4 hourly for 4 weeks as well as symptomatic treatment according to need. In Gr-B, 303 patients were advised mouthwash/gargle, nasal cavity and eye wash with lukewarm water 4 hourly for 4 weeks and symptomatic treatment according to need…

Results: … In group A (patients used PVP-I), only 2.64% (N-8) patient is RT-PCR positive on the 7th day, whereas in group B (patients used lukewarm water), it is 70.30% (N-213) (Table 2, Gr- A & B) (p>0.05). Data of Table 3 (Gr-A&B) shows that 3.30% (N-10) hospitalized patients of group A needed oxygen support (by mechanical ventilatorand/or high flow nasal cannula and/or non rebreather mask and/or face mask and/or nasal cannula) but 20.79% (N-63) patients of group B needed oxygen support. Mortality rate is high[er] 5.6% (N-17) in group B than 0.66% (N-2) in group A. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).”