Emetine for Viral Outbreaks (a.k.a. EVOLVE Antiviral Initiative)
United States, Nepal600 participantsStarted 2026-06-25
Plain-language summary
The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of emetine administered orally for symptomatic patients aged 18-65 years infected with the dengue virus. The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. Does emetine reduce 28-day mortality or progression to severe dengue (severe plasma leakage, severe bleeding, or severe organ involvement)?
2. What are the safety outcomes of emetine, including serious adverse events and toxicities?
Participants will be asked to:
1. Take either 6mg emetine, 12mg emetine, or a placebo pill for 7 consecutive days as part of the treatment regimen.
2. Have blood samples taken for at least 5 days to monitor viral load, inflammatory markers, and safety parameters.
3. Be monitored by healthcare staff for daily vital signs and symptoms for clinical assessments for 28 days.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Age 18 to 65 years
. Admitted to the hospital
. Laboratory-confirmed infection with dengue virus within the last 5 days and preferably within the last 3 days. Testing for dengue virus using positive Nonstructural protein 1(NS1) strip assay or reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
. Having two or more clinical symptoms (fever, headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, rash, hemorrhagic manifestations, or leucopenia, gastrointestinal symptoms) with the onset of fever within 72 hours of presentation, and
. Able to provide voluntary informed consent and comply with all study procedures and visits.
Exclusion criteria
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Evaluate effectiveness of emetine in dengue patients assessed by 28-day mortality or progression
Timeframe: 28 days
2
Safety of emetine assessed by number of adverse events
Timeframe: Up to 28 days
3
Safety of emetine assessed by rate of drug discontinuation