Remdesivir, Plasma, Doxycycline - What works for COVID and What doesn't
The Second wave of COVID wreaks havoc on all of us and social media is flooded with desperate pleas for drugs such as Remdesivir, Favipiravir, and even Plasma. But in most cases, the drugs which are prescribed have not proved to be of any help with the treatment of COVID-19. As Antivirals that threaten viruses are hard to produce and make effective, doctors and scientists repurpose existing drugs before they try and create a new one. Now, let's take a look at all the drugs that are used today and their merits, and what works and what doesn't.
What Works Well
Dexamethasone
This is one of those drugs that works to treat COVID patients and it eases symptoms. It relieves inflammation and swelling in the body and lungs. This is prescribed in cases with breathing distress and pneumonia. In critical cases, it is prescribed when the body enters the cytokine storm stage. However, this has side effects like Irritability, insomnia, increased appetite, weakness, increased blood sugar levels, headaches, mood swings.
This is one of those drugs that works to treat COVID patients and it eases symptoms. It relieves inflammation and swelling in the body and lungs. This is prescribed in cases with breathing distress and pneumonia. In critical cases, it is prescribed when the body enters the cytokine storm stage. However, this has side effects like Irritability, insomnia, increased appetite, weakness, increased blood sugar levels, headaches, mood swings.
Tocilizumab (Itolizumab, Atlizumab, Actemra)
This belongs to a class of drugs known as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) blockers. This works by blocking IL-6, a cytokine produced by the body that plays a key role in transitioning inflammation from acute to chronic. This is used when the body requires a rapid increase in oxygen levels. The main benefit of this drug is a reduction in mortality in patients who require ventilation and it reduces progression from oxygen to Ventilation. The side effects include Runny nose, sore throat, headache, dizziness, stomach cramps.
Anticoagulants
This is used to prevent blood clotting. This is used in the severe stage of the disease among the patients who show coagulopathy (blood clotting) or elevated D-dimers. This drug can prevent the symptom of blood clots in severe patients. However, the side effects are possibly excessive bleeding including heavier menses, long nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and passing blood in urine or feces.
Budesonide
This drug should strictly be prescribed by a Medical professional and this is used when oxygen saturation levels fall below 92-94% It is commonly used to treat allergic respiratory distress such as those caused by asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Oxygen
When oxygen Saturation by a Pulse Oxymeter falls below 92-94% at sea level and doesn't comeback and stay stable with deep breathing. Some patients are asked to adopt this for raising their oxygen levels better.
Paracetamol
Paracetamol every six hours is typically advised to treat symptoms of fever and body pain.
What Works Under Limited Conditions
Remdesivir
This is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug. It is used when a patient has pneumonia and requires oxygen but not a ventilator. Remdesivir is ineffective after a patient is put on a ventilator, and is also ineffective for asymptomatic, mild, or moderate cases. The benefits are it shortens the progression of the disease and shortens the hospital time, but only under limited conditions. Some studies have shown a benefit in using Remdesivir within the window of patients requiring oxygen but not yet on a ventilator, in a low flow oxygen state. It prevents escalation of the disease to ventilators. AIIMS and ICMR revealed that this drug is of no use beyond 10 days of symptoms.
Convalescent plasma
Convalescent means being in the process of recovery, and plasma is a component of the human blood that carries antibodies. Convalescent plasma is obtained from a recently recovered, non-pregnant individual and transfused into the patient. This is effective if the treatment has to be received within 72 hours of first symptom. Also the dose received should contain high amount of antibodies. But again, this is ineffective if the disease progresses beyond the early symptoms stage. As per ICMR and AIIMS, it is of no use beyond 7 days of onset of symptoms.
What does NOT WORK
Ivermectin
This drug failed to produce positive results in humans. Studies shown it is ineffective in treating both Critical and Non-Critical patients. The WHO recommends against using ivermectin for Covid-19 treatment except in clinical trials
Favipiravir (FabiFlu, Avigan)
This is yet another ineffective drug which is of no use. When this drug is used on the pregnant women, it could be dangerous to the foetus.
Doxycycline, Azithromycin, Amoxicillin
None. ANTIBIOTICS never work on Viruses. But some doctors might prescribe if hospitalized to avoid bacterial infections.
Vitamin C,D, Zinc
Vitamins and other supplements do not offer any benefit to treating Covid, or any other disease.
What is Harmful?
Hydroxychloroquine or HCQ
For autoimmune diseases, it can help by lowering inflammation. All studies proved that this drug is of no use at any stage of the disease. But this has lots of side effects like Low blood sugar, damage to vision. Multiple studies have shown the usage of HCQ raises the risk of serious cardiac problems when used in Covid-19 patients.