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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 3INTERVENTIONAL

Long Covid (LC)-REVITALIZE - A Long Covid Repurposed Drug Study

LC-REVITALIZE - A Long Covid Repurposed Drug Study

Long Covid (LC)-REVITALIZE - A Long Covid Repurposed Drug Study (NCT06928272) is a Phase 3 interventional studying Long COVID, sponsored by Douglas D. Fraser. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

The Long-Covid (LC)-Revitalize clinical study is testing repurposed drug treatments for Long Covid, involving adult participants from Brazil, Canada, Italy, Uganda, the United States, and Zambia. To qualify, participants must have had Covid-19 and experienced Long Covid symptoms for at least three months. The main goal of the study is to determine whether the drug treatments can improve symptoms in five key areas: 1) fatigue, 2) breathing, 3) memory, thinking, and communication, 4) muscle and joint pain, and 5) circulation. A secondary goal is to assess changes in the body, such as reducing inflammation, as well as to confirm the safety and tolerability of the treatments. In the first phase, 348 participants will take either one of two existing medications (upadacitinib or pirfenidone) or a placebo (a pill with no active ingredient) for three months. Although these medications are not yet approved for Long Covid, they are authorized for use in treating other health conditions. This study is adaptive, meaning it may adjust based on early results. In the second phase, the study could continue testing the most effective drug(s) against a placebo with new participants, explore combinations of drugs to see if they improve results, or discontinue the drugs if they prove ineffective or unsafe and test alternative treatments.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 3 trials confirm efficacy and safety in large patient groups (often 300–3,000+) and form the evidence base for an FDA approval submission. For Long COVID, Phase 3 studies typically randomize participants between the investigational treatment and either a placebo or current standard of care. A successful Phase 3 result is the threshold most treatments need to clear before regulatory approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

A target enrollment of 348 participants makes this a sizable late-stage trial. Studies in this range typically have enough power to detect clinically meaningful differences from a comparator and to characterize less-common side effects.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: Eligible participants must meet all the following Who May Qualify: 1. Adults ≥ 18 years of age and ≤ 65 years of age 2. Previous Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) within the past four years, as determined by the site investigator using the following certainty scale (based on available clinical history and/or serologic data): 3 - Confirmed Infection (PCR or n-Capsid Test): Prior positive nasopharyngeal or salivary PCR test for Covid-19 (documented proof and/or verbal confirmation by participant) or has positive nucleocapsid antibodies results. 2 - Probable Infection (Antigen Test): Participant verbally confirms a prior positive rapid antigen test without PCR confirmation. 1 - Possible Infection (Viral Syndrome and Epidemiological Link): Participant verbally confirms experiencing symptoms consistent with Covid-19 infection and has an epidemiological link (i.e., exposure to a confirmed case) without any positive testing. 3\. Persistent or new symptoms diagnosed as "Long Covid" as defined by the World Health Organization; "the continuation or development of new symptoms 3 months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection (Covid-19), with these symptoms lasting for at least 2 months with no other explanation". This diagnosis may come from a healthcare professional experienced in Long Covid diagnosis, or the site investigator. These symptoms must be present for more days than not and must not have been present prior to the onset of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) infection. 4\. At the time of screening, participants should be experiencing at least one of the following self-reported symptoms or symptom clusters. Participant has self-reported issues with: 1. Fatigue 2. Breathing 3. Circulation 4. Memory, thinking, and/or communication 5. Muscles and/or joints ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: Eligible participants must meet all the following inclusion criteria: 1. Adults ≥ 18 years of age and ≤ 65 years of age 2. Previous Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) within the past four years, as determined by the site investigator using the following certainty scale (based on available clinical history and/or serologic data): 3 - Confirmed Infection (PCR or n-Capsid Test): Prior positive nasopharyngeal or salivary PCR test for Covid-19 (documented proof and/or verbal confirmation by participant) or has positive nucleocapsid antibodies results. 2 - Probable Infection (Antigen Test): Participant verbally confirms a prior positive rapid antigen test without PCR confirmation. 1 - Possible Infection (Viral Syndrome and Epidemiological Link): Participant verbally confirms experiencing symptoms consistent with Covid-19 infection and has an epidemiological link (i.e., exposure to a confirmed case) without any positive testing. 3\. Persistent or new symptoms diagnosed as "Long Covid" as defined by the World Health Organization; "the continuation or development of new symptoms 3 months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection (Covid-19), with these symptoms lasting for at least 2 months with no other explanation". This diagnosis may come from a healthcare professional experienced in Long Covid diagnosis, or the site investigator. These symptoms must be present for more days than not and must not have been present prior to the onset of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) infection. 4\. At the time of screening, participants should be experiencing at least one of the following self-reported symptoms or symptom clusters. Participant has self-reported issues with: 1. Fatigue 2. Breathing 3. Circulation 4. Memory, thinking, and/or communication 5. Muscles and/or joints These five symptoms or symptom clusters were selected based on unpublished data from the National Institutes for Health and Care Research (NIHR, United Kingdom) and their alignment with five validated SBQ scales. The selection was driven by their prevalence and their significant impact on quality of life as reported in symptom assessments. 5\. Participant has the ability and is willing to follow study procedures throughout the study 6\. Participant can provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Participants who have any one or more of the following criteria at the time of enrollment will be excluded: 1. Participants who do not meet the criteria outlined above 2. Participants who are unable to provide their informed consent 3. Participants who are pregnant, lactating, or plan to become pregnant during the time of the study 4. Persons of childbearing potential who are unwilling or unable to abstain from sex or to use at least one acceptable method of contraception from the time of screening through at least 30 days after the end of the study intervention period. Acceptable methods include barrier contraceptives (e.g., condoms or diaphragm) with spermicide, intrauterine devices (IUDs), hormonal contraceptives, oral contraceptive pills, and surgical sterilization. Participants unwilling to be counseled about the risks related to pregnancy or breastfeeding will also be excluded. 5. Male participants must take precautions to avoid impregnating a female while participating in this study. If a male participant's partner can become pregnant, she must use an effective and reliable form of birth control, as listed above, during the study and for 30 days after the male participant's last dose of the investigational product. Additionally, male participants must agree to use a latex condom during sexual activity with partners who could become pregnant. 6. eGFR \<30 mL/min/1.73m2 7. Moderate to severe liver dysfunction, defined as Bilirubin \> 1.5 x ULN or AST or ALT \> 2 x ULN 8. Hemoglobin (Hbg) \< 8.0 g/dL 9. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) below 1,000 cells/mm³, confirmed with repeat testing 10. Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) below 500 cells/mm³ 11. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels equal to or greater than three times the upper limit of normal (ULN) 12. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels equal to or greater than three times the ULN 13. Platelet count below 100,000 cells/mm³, confirmed with repeat testing 14. Platelet count above 500,000 cells/mm³, confirmed with repeat testing 15. Total fasting cholesterol levels of 280 mg/dL or higher, confirmed with repeat testing 16. Fasting low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels of 180 mg/dL or higher, confirmed with repeat testing 17. A personal or family history of long QT syndrome or an electrocardiogram (ECG) during screening showing a corrected QT interval (QTc) of 500 milliseconds or greater, calculated using Fridericia's formula 18. Participants with HIV diagnosis 19. Participants with active hepatitis B or C diagnosis. Note: treated or cleared hepatitis C is not exclusionary. 20. Active herpes zoster infection (visible skin lesions) within 3 months prior to screening, or any history of disseminated or complicated herpes zoster or herpes simplex infection (e.g., VZV encephalitis) 21. Participants with active or latent tuberculosis 22. Immunocompromised status, as determined by the investigator, that places the participant at an unacceptable risk for study participation 23. Active malignancy or lymphoproliferative disorder that has not been in remission for at least five years. Localized non-melanoma skin cancers that have been definitively treated are not exclusionary. 24. Positive SARS-CoV-2 test in the last 30 days or symptomatic with Covid-19 like illness 25. Previous admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for the treatment of acute COVID-19 infection 26. Any history of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, unstable angina, atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, or myocardial infarction or stroke 27. History of sepsis or a significant viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infection within 30 days prior to enrollment, as determined by the investigator. 28. Use of one or more of the study drugs within 30 days prior to enrollment for the original indication or other purposes 29. Known allergic reactions to the components of the study drugs 30. Any prior exposure to JAK inhibitors 31. Taking any of the listed medications on the prohibited medications list in Appendix A 32. Intake or planned consumption of any of the following: Taurine, Curcumin, CoQ10, Creatine, Resveratrol, Fisetin, Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), Quercetin, Glycine, Spermidine, Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, Ergothioneine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Carnitine, Benfotiamine, Carnosine, Crocin, N-acetylcysteine 33. Covid vaccinations are prohibited within 30 days prior to enrollment 34. Live vaccine within the 30 days before enrollment or plan to receive live vaccines during the study period 35. Other vaccines, including influenza vaccine, are prohibited within 14 days of enrollment 36. Major surgery within 30 days prior to enrollment or plans for major surgery during the study 37. Any other co-existing medical condition or concomitant medication/therapy that might in the judgment of the study investigators, potentially impact the participant's safety or ability to adhere to the study protocol or interfere with the meaning of the clinical and research measurements as judged by the study investigators 38. Participation in any clinical study within the last 30 days prior to enrollment 39. Participants who participated in Phase One of this study (LC-Revitalize) are not eligible to participate in Phase Two 40. Currently hospitalized and/or incarcerated

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Pirfenidone

Initial dose titration: First week (days 1-7): 1 capsule (267 mg), 3 times daily (801 mg/day) Second week (days 8-14): 2 capsules (534 mg), 3 times daily (1602 mg/day) Maintenance dose: Third week and thereafter (days 15+): 3 capsules (801 mg), 3 times daily (2403 mg/day)

DRUG

Placebo for pirfenidone

First week (days 1-7): 1 capsule, 3 times daily Second week (days 8-14): 2 capsules, 3 times daily Third week and thereafter (days 15+): 3 capsules, 3 times daily

DRUG

Upadacitinib

1 capsule (15 mg), once daily for 3 months

DRUG

Placebo for upadacitinib

1 capsule, once daily for 3 months

Locations (9)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Laura Rodriguez Research Institute
San Diego, California, United States
Ini-Fiocruz
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janerio, Brazil
Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Centre de Recherche du CHUS (CRCHUS)
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
INMI Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS
Roma, Roma, Italy
Sapienza Università di Roma
Roma, Roma, Italy
Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Modena, Italy
Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC)
Kampala, Kampala, Uganda
University Teaching Hospital
Lusaka, Lusaka Province, Zambia

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06928272), the sponsor (Douglas D. Fraser), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT06928272 clinical trial studying?

The Long-Covid (LC)-Revitalize clinical study is testing repurposed drug treatments for Long Covid, involving adult participants from Brazil, Canada, Italy, Uganda, the United States, and Zambia. To qualify, participants must have had Covid-19 and experienced Long Covid symptoms for at least three months. The main goal of the study is to determine whether the drug treatments can improve symptoms in five key areas: 1) fatigue, 2) breathing, 3) memory, thinking, and communication, 4) muscle and joint pain, and 5) circulation. A secondary goal is to assess changes in the body, such as reducing in… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06928272?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT06928272?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT06928272. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06928272. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.