Have you Heard about the 3 Anti-inflammatory Drugs against COVID-19?
Introduction
In every problem, there is a solution. The wonderful news is that there are three anti-inflammatory drugs to help in solving the COVID-19 crisis. There is a novel trial conducted by an extraordinary multinational partnership to find life-saving COVID-19 treatments. It is called the Solidarity PLUS.
The Solidarity PLUS
The World Health Organization is conducting a Solidarity trial in partnership with 52 nations and researchers from over 600 hospitals. The Solidarity PLUS study is the next phase of the Solidarity trial. Three anti-inflammatory medicines will be evaluated for their ability to cure the COVID-19 infection. These are infliximab, imatinib and artesunate. If any or all of these medications are shown to be successful in treating COVID-19 infection, the manufacturers have also pledged to make the drugs available to the public at a minimal cost.
Infliximab
Infliximab is used to treat autoimmune disorders. In the experiment, it will be administered intravenously in a single dose. Johnson & Johnson is the primary manufacturer of this drug. Some of the diseases in which it has proven its effectivity are ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. Infliximab works by targeting a protein called, “tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)”, which is naturally found in the body. The TNF-alpha aids the immune system in fighting infections. However, too much TNF-alpha might harm the cells that line the intestine. This is why the infliximab serves as a medication to prevent the excessive TNF-alpha production. With its demonstrated success in treating certain autoimmune inflammatory diseases, Infliximab is expected to have beneficial safety and effectiveness in reducing broad-spectrum inflammation. This can be particularly helpful for senior citizens who are most clinically susceptible to COVID-19.
Imanitib
Imatinib is the second medication under consideration by the WHO as a possible treatment for severe instances of COVID-19. For this experiment, the medicine will be administered orally once a day for 14 days. The primary manufacturer of this medication is Novartis. Imatinib belongs to a class of drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which prevents the aberrant protein activity that causes cancer cells proliferation. This is why Imatinib is often used to treat specific malignancies. This medication is used to treat leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, hypereosinophilic syndrome and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. This is used for Solidarity PLUS because the inflammatory mechanisms in cancer and COVID-19 disease have similarities. By utilizing this antineoplastic drug, the reallocation of some anticancer and anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals for COVID-19 can lower the fatality rates.
Artesunate
Artesunate is an intravenous injectable to treat severe instances of malaria in adults and pediatric patients. It is a derivative of the Artemisinin. For more than three decades, Artemisinin and its derivatives are proven safe and effective in the treatment of malaria. The WHO proposed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of artesunate because of its antimalarial characteristics. Both artemisin and artesunate belong to the same pharmacological class. Artesunate is converted to DHA, which produces free radicals that prevent Plasmodium parasites from performing their regular functions. This drug has a brief duration of action and a moderate duration of therapy due to its short half-life. In the experiment, it will be administered intravenously for seven days. This is the standard dose for treating severe malaria. The major producer of Artesunate is Ipca.
Conclusion
There is a serious threat posed by Delta and Lambda variants. These rapid mutations of the coronavirus motivated every country to contribute their expertise for the global search of COVID-19 treatment. These studies are also expected to aid in future pandemics, allowing every country to be prepared and lowering fatality rates. For now, if you have any concern regarding the COVID-19 disease, you may contact MyPocketDoctor. The MyPocketDoctor website and mobile app (Android and IOS) now have Multi-factor security to guard your medical information better. This telemedicine service, other than providing you with online medical consultation, has also been actively providing you with valuable health information to guide you during these difficult times. You can certainly enjoy these conveniences right at your fingertips by downloading the MyPocketDoctor app and talking to our team of doctors about your health concerns. The MyPocketDoctor can be contacted through its Facebook page and/or agent chat on the website www.MyPocketDoctor.com. You may check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) through this website.
References:
www.who.int/news-room/
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/