Posted on August 22, 2001 at 10:03 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is participating in the world’s first study to determine if a drug called pleconaril may be safe and effective in preventing colds in adults. “Early studies have shown the drug to be beneficial in relieving symptoms and reducing the duration of colds; however, no studies have been done to see if it may actually prevent colds,” says Dr. David Kimberlin, assistant professor of pediatrics at UAB.

Pleconaril is a first-of-its-kind antiviral drug that fights cold viruses. “It offers the possibility of also preventing colds,” says Kimberlin. “If so, it could prove especially beneficial to people with chronic illnesses who are at risk of developing more severe complications from colds.”

The first step is to evaluate the drug’s safety and effectiveness in healthy adults. UAB is one of 14 sites in the United States and Canada recruiting volunteers for the study, funded by ViroPharma Inc., in Exton, Pennsylvania. Overall, 1,000 adults, ages 18 to 75, will be enrolled in the twelve-week study. UAB is recruiting at least 75 volunteers. Participants must not have a cold, cough or other respiratory illness, HIV or be taking corticosteroids or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Following an initial screening, two-thirds of the volunteers will receive the study medication and one-third will receive a placebo to take orally twice a day for six weeks. They will also make at least seven visits to the clinic over the course of the study and will record daily entries in an electronic journal using a Palm Pilot. Following the study, volunteers may elect to keep the Palm Pilot or to receive monetary compensation for their participation.

For more information or to volunteer for the study, call (205) 975-7272.