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A new study is going to test whether a treatment for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 could have been right under our nose. A group of scientists reportedly believe Ibuprofen could be an effective treatment for COVID-19, according to the US National Library of Medicine’s clinical trials database.
The clinical trials are being conducted by doctors from London’s Guy’s and St. Thomas’ hospital and King’s College.
Professor Mitul Mehta of King’s College London added: “We need to do a trial to show that the evidence actually matches what we expect to happen.”
From the New York Post:
Scientists note that they will be using a unique formulation that wouldn’t be found in drugstores; rather, it’s in lipid capsule form that’s prescribed for conditions such as arthritis. Findings in animal studies have suggested that ibuprofen could treat acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is known to develop in coronavirus patients.
Earlier studies did not have conclusive evidence regarding ibuprofen’s effect on the virus.
“Our search did not identify any strong evidence for or against the use of ibuprofen for treatment of COVID-19 specifically,” the study read in the journal Ecancermedicalscience. “The current literature does not give conclusive evidence for or against the use of NSAIDs in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.”
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The coronavirus mainly comes from animals and a majority of those who were infected early either worked at or frequently visited the Huanan seafood wholesale market in Wuhan, according to The Guardian. The virus is similar to Severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (Mers).
The Wuhan coronavirus is transmitted from person to person through “droplet transmission.” That means an infected person can pass the virus by sneezing or coughing on another person as well as by direct contact.
While a majority of the cases have been detected in the United States and China — with more than 100,000 deaths in the United States — it has now reached many countries around the world. It has also been confirmed in Italy, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and many other eastern countries.
