COPANOS: use of gabapentin in the management of post-viral parosmia – a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multi-site trial – study protocol.

Publication date: Jul 23, 2026

Parosmia is a qualitative olfactory disorder characterised by a distorted perception of smell, often experienced as unpleasant or offensive. Although parosmia has multiple aetiologies, post-viral parosmia has become increasingly prevalent following the COVID-19 pandemic. In the UK, post-viral parosmia affects an estimated 637 836 individuals and has a substantial negative impact on quality of life and mood. At present, there is no licensed or standardised treatment for this condition. Gabapentin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid analogue with neuromodulatory properties, has shown potential benefits at low doses in small, non-randomised studies; however, its efficacy requires further evaluation. Use of Gabapentin in the Management of Post-Viral Parosmia: A Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Site Trial (COPANOS) is a phase III, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial comparing gabapentin with placebo in adults aged 18-65 years with post-viral parosmia persisting for ≥6 months and

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Semantics

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