COPANOS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Use of Gabapentin in the Management of Post-Viral Parosmia: A Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Site Trial
IRAS ID
1012783
Contact name
Matt Lechner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN82171427
Research summary
Parosmia is a condition where the sense of smell becomes distorted. People with parosmia often report that normal smells, such as coffee or food, are unpleasant or foul. This condition is commonly seen after viral infections, especially COVID-19. It can have a serious impact on daily life. At the moment, there are no proven treatments.
This study will investigate whether a medicine called gabapentin can help reduce the symptoms of parosmia. Gabapentin is already used to treat nerve pain and epilepsy. It works by calming overactive nerves and may help reduce the abnormal smell signals that cause parosmia.
The main question the research aims to answer is whether gabapentin is a safe and effective treatment for people with parosmia after a viral infection. If successful, this treatment could offer new hope to many people affected by this condition.
The study is a clinical trial. People who take part will be randomly placed into one of two groups. One group will receive gabapentin and the other will receive a placebo. A placebo is a capsule that looks like the real medicine but does not contain any active ingredients. The study is double-blind which means that neither the participants nor the researchers will know who is receiving which treatment during the study.
Participants will complete a smell questionnaire called Smell Qx at the start of the study, after 8 weeks of treatment and again at 12 weeks. Each person will be involved in the study for 12 weeks in total.
To take part, people must be aged 18 to 65 and have had parosmia for more than 3 months but less than 3 years after a viral illness. The study will take place at Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Contact for further details
Mr Umar Rehman, Study Co-Investigator
Email: umar.rehman3@nhs.netREC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
25/WA/0298
Date of REC Opinion
21 Oct 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion