Since the discovery of this novel coronavirus
in December 2019, there has been much speculation and suggestions as to which COVID-19 treatment modalities would be
ideal. Some of these options would target the signs and symptoms patients
experience, while others would seek to rid the body of the virus itself.
The World
Health Organization (WHO) reports that as of July 14, 2021,
there have been 187,296,646 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Many of these persons
have needed to seek COVID-19 treatment,
and some have even been hospitalized. Consequently, healthcare providers have
used several COVID-19 medications
and treatments. So in this post, we will look at some of those management
options and explore why some were efficient when others weren't.
Which COVID-19 Treatments Have Worked?
COVID-19 is currently being treated with both
FDA-approved drugs and those used under an Emergency Use Authorization.
According to the CDC,
here are some of the recommended COVID-19
treatment options that have worked.
●
Infection prevention and control
measures
●
Supplemental oxygen- is prescribed for
patients to improve the level of oxygen in the blood and help mitigate
shortness of breath while reducing the workload of the heart and lungs.
●
Nebulized Steroids (Budesonide) - according to
Dr. Richard Bartlett, a 28-year medical veteran, Budesonide used as an inhaled
steroid has given him a 100% recovery rate for his patients. It is believed
that Budesonide is efficient because the morbidity from COVID-19 occurs due to the
shattering inflammatory effects of the virus that starts roughly a week after
becoming ill. So when Budesonide is administered before or during the early
stage of this inflammation, it could hinder worsening of COVID-19.
●
Mechanical ventilatory support- this machine
assists COVID-19 patients to breathe, especially when they are critically
ill.
●
Remdesivir (Veklury) - approved by the FDA for treating COVID-19 in select hospitalized patients.
●
The National
Institutes of Health (NIH) has also created a list endorsing
those and other options, including Dexamethasone.
Dexamethasone is a drug typically used in relieving inflammation. This
steroid may decrease the risk of death in severely ill COVID-19 patients.
●
Favipiravir- used to treat the influenza
viruses was approved for the treatment of COVID-19 in China in March 2020.
●
Vaccines- that are made specifically for
treating COVID-19 are the only comprehensive and defensive treatment option.
Which COVID-19 Treatments have not Worked?
Several potential COVID-19 medications have surfaced, such as the antimalarial drug
hydroxychloroquine; there is also lopinavir/ritonavir, an antiviral drug. These
are some of the most talked-about medications recommended for treating COIVD-19; however, they have
proved inefficient. Other treatment suggestions that have since been deemed
inefficacious include but are not limited to,
●
Interferon-beta- a large trial of this method revealed that injected
interferon-beta into hospitalized COVID-19 patients did not improve their
condition.
●
Convalescent plasma- has been authorized for
emergency treatment of COVID-19 in the US, although studies show very little to
no benefit from this therapy.
Why do Some COVID-19 Treatments Work & Some Don't?
As with other conditions, some therapies will
work, and some won't. This phenomenon does not mean that the management option
itself is inefficient in totality. We must understand that several variables
contribute to whether or not the same treatment that helps you get better will
help me, as well. While some COVID-19
treatments are just plain ineffective because of the nature of the virus,
here are a few reasons why some work and others don't:
●
Your age can determine how your
body breaks down, absorbs, and uses different drugs.
●
Interference from other
medications is affecting the way COVID-19
medications work.
●
If you have been receiving any of
the now recommended COVID-19 drugs, their long-term use can result in
medication tolerance development.
●
Early diagnosis helps catch the
virus in its earlier stages, where it is much more receptive to treatment.
There are literally hundreds of COVID-19 treatment methods currently
being explored to help remedy this deadly virus. As we continue to seek out and
share knowledge concerning this novel coronavirus, we encourage you to practice
preventative measures, as they are the best form of management.
References
Ali, M. J., Hanif, M., Haider, M. A., Ahmed, M. U., Sundas, F.,
Hirani, A., Khan, I. A., Anis, K., & Karim, A. H. (2020). Treatment Options
for COVID-19: A Review. Frontiers in Medicine, 7.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2020.00480
CDC. (2020, February 11). Therapeutic Options for COVID-19 Patients.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/therapeutic-options.html
Dent, G. (2020, October 22). Coronavirus: which treatments work and
which don’t? The Conversation.
https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-which-treatments-work-and-which-dont-147594
Drbeen Medical Lectures. (2020). Nebulized Steroids (Budesonide) Talk
with Dr. Richard Bartlette [YouTube Video]. In YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=205Unk4TQXI&t=19s
Hospitalized Adults: Therapeutic Management | COVID-19 Treatment
Guidelines. (2021). COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; COVID-19 Treatment
Guidelines.
https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/management/clinical-management/hospitalized-adults--therapeutic-management/
Jean, S.-S., Lee, P.-I., & Hsueh, P.-R. (2020). Treatment options for COVID-19: The reality and challenges. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection, 53(3), 436–443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmii.2020.03.034