Taurine Supplementation for Long COVID

Overseen By Heather Edgell, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: York University

Disqualifiers: Blood clotting disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if taurine, a type of amino acid, can help individuals who have experienced Long COVID for at least three months. Researchers are examining taurine's effects on the heart and blood vessels, particularly during standing. Participants will take taurine supplements for 12 weeks to assess improvements in these areas. The trial seeks individuals with Long COVID symptoms who can travel to York University for testing. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding taurine's potential benefits for Long COVID recovery.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators.

Is there any evidence suggesting that taurine supplementation is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that taurine is usually safe for people. In past studies, participants who took taurine experienced no serious side effects, suggesting it is likely safe for most individuals. Its use for other health issues further supports its safety. Although more research is needed to confirm its effects on Long COVID, current information is encouraging. Prospective trial participants might find this reassuring regarding the safety of taurine. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Most treatments for Long COVID focus on managing symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath with medications like steroids, anticoagulants, or antivirals. But taurine supplementation offers a unique approach. Taurine is an amino acid that may help improve cellular energy and reduce inflammation, potentially addressing the root causes of Long COVID symptoms rather than just the symptoms themselves. Researchers are excited about taurine because it could provide a natural, well-tolerated option that targets energy pathways in the body, offering hope for more comprehensive relief for patients.

What evidence suggests that taurine supplementation might be an effective treatment for Long COVID?

Research has shown that taurine, a type of amino acid, might help people with Long COVID. Some studies found that individuals with lower taurine levels in their blood tend to experience more severe symptoms. This finding suggests that taurine supplements could help reduce these symptoms. Early research indicates that taurine might improve blood vessel function, which is crucial for heart and brain health. Since taurine is safe and easy to obtain, it is being considered as a simple way to help alleviate Long COVID symptoms. Participants in this trial will take taurine supplements for 12 weeks to evaluate their effectiveness in alleviating Long COVID symptoms. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals who have been experiencing Long COVID symptoms for at least three months. It aims to help those suffering from the persistent effects of a COVID-19 infection by testing if taurine, an amino acid, can improve their condition.

Inclusion Criteria

I have had Long COVID symptoms for at least 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria

Inability to undergo tilt table testing for 5 minutes

I cannot get to York University from my home by myself.

I cannot speak English but can provide a translator.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 12 weeks of taurine supplementation to assess vascular and orthostatic responses

12 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Taurine

Trial Overview

The study is exploring whether taking taurine supplements for 12 weeks can enhance vascular function and the body's response to changes in posture among Long COVID sufferers. Researchers will use EndoPAT, ultrasound, and other measures to assess heart and brain responses before and after supplementation.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Taurine supplementation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will take 12-wks of taurine supplementation (2 x 675mg twice daily).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

York University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

64

Recruited

521,000+

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+

Long COVID Web

Collaborator

Citations

1.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06721949

NCT06721949 | Taurine Supplementation in Long COVID

Purpose: The overall trial objectives are to evaluate the efficacy and safety of taurine supplementation in treating and managing prolonged symptoms related to ...

2.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11152273/

Plasma taurine level is linked to symptom burden and clinical ...

This study aims to evaluate the association between plasma taurine levels with self-reported symptoms and adverse clinical outcomes in patients with PCC.

3.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07312409

Does Taurine Supplementation Improve Vascular Function ...

Millions have developed Long COVID (LC), and recent findings show an association between taurine deficiency (an amino acid) and symptoms in ...

4.

crd.york.ac.uk

crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251011508

Citation

As such, we aim to perform a systematic review of clinical trials that evaluate the efficacy of taurine supplementation in alleviating clinical outcomes ...

5.

cell.com

cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(23)00431-7

Sequential multi-omics analysis identifies clinical ...

An estimated 10%–30% of individuals convalescing from SARS-CoV-2 infection continue to experience post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) or long COVID, ...

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9878018/

Clinical trials on the pharmacological treatment of long COVID

This review provides an update of the pharmacological agents that could be used to treat long COVID.

7.

pubs.acs.org

pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00224

Implications for Assessment of Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome

Long-term metabolic effects of SARS-CoV-1 have been reported up to 12 years post the critical illness phase; these included liver dysfunction ...

8.

go.drugbank.com

go.drugbank.com/conditions/DBCOND0140673

Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (DBCOND0140673)

Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of S-1226 in Post-COVID-19 Subjects With Persistent Respiratory Symptoms. No drug interventions, treatment, 2, unknown_status.

9.

link.springer.com

link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12866-025-03847-2

Taurultam shows antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and ...

Moreover, taurolidine has been shown to have potent antiviral activities against multiple viruses and to have antiviral effects through its ...