Recruitment of participants for the clinical trials of melatonin as an adjuvant has started, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) said.
DoST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena said in his weekly report that the project has started the recruitment of participants in two sites, the Manila Doctors Hospital and Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Center.
The project explores the effectiveness and safety of using high doses of melatonin as adjuvant therapy on top of standard therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.
It also probes whether administering high doses of melatonin will lessen the need for intubation or ventilation support of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and ultimately improve the survival rate against the infection.
The DoST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) said that the country will be the first trial worldwide to explore the effectiveness and safety of using high doses of the sleep-aid supplement melatonin to COVID-19 patients.
Manila Doctors Hospital, with support from the DoST-PCHRD, will conduct the project: “Melatonin as Adjuvant treatment for COVID-19 in Patients Requiring Hospitalization (MAC19 PRO): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial (RCT).”
"The study will be the first RCT worldwide which will explore the effectiveness and safety of using hdM as adjuvant therapy on top of standard therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia," the agency said.
It noted that the COVID-19's severity increases once pneumonia sets in.
As an adjuvant therapy, melatonin will be used alongside the primary or main treatment of diseases much like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy, among others.
“We are aiming to build on the use of melatonin as a commonly available supplement to support our fight against COVID-19,” DoST-PCHRD Executive Director Jaime Montoya said.
“If the project proves to be successful, we may be able to de-escalate COVID-19 cases better, and possibly reduce the mortality rate of the infection,” he added.