Two over-the-counter drugs effective against coronavirus. What does it mean? There is a warning

The combination of two over-the-counter compounds is able to inhibit the multiplication of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus by as much as 99%. – researchers from the University of Florida Health discovered. It is about diphenhydramine used in allergy symptoms and lactoferrin obtained from cow’s milk, available as a supplement. While the research is so promising, immunologist Dr. Ostrov cautions against self-medication. Prof. Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska, whom we asked for a comment. Here is the reason.

1. Two popular over-the-counter compounds (diphenhydramine and lactoferrin) reduce COVID-19 replication by 99%. This was shown by laboratory studies of scientists from Florida
2. The leading immunologist, Dr. David A. Ostrov, cautions against the use of diphenhydramine and lactoferrin in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. The scientist emphasized that the type of lactoferrin used in the research slightly differs from that which is commonly available to consumers
3. Prof. Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska, recalling that the research was conducted only with the use of the in vitro method. – At the moment, we do not know if the concentration of these compounds used in laboratory tests was as achieved when these preparations were administered to humans, and whether it would still inhibit viral replication
4. When will these compounds be used to fight COVID-19? Prof. Szuster-Ciesielska replies
5. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

Over-the-counter drugs for COVID-19? Two popular compounds reduce coronavirus multiplication by as much as 99%.

Researchers at the University of Florida Health (a medical network linked to the University of Florida) have found a pair of over-the-counter compounds that, when combined, inhibit the virus that causes COVID-19. The first is diphenhydramine – a long-known antihistamine drug. The second is lactoferrin – a substance whose high amounts are contained in the first mother’s milk, the so-called colostrum. It is obtained from cow’s milk (later milk also contains lactoferrin, but there is much less of it). Lactoferrin is used to support the treatment of stomach ulcers and diarrhea, but also to generally strengthen immunity in bacterial and viral diseases.

1. Diet to strengthen immunity – what should you eat to strengthen the body?

Laboratory tests carried out on human and monkey cells showed that the combination of the two compounds was extremely potent. Each of them (used separately) inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication by about 30 percent. When they were combined, their effectiveness increased to 99%. This discovery was made by the team of Dr. David A. Ostrov, an immunologist and associate professor in the department of pathology, immunology and laboratory medicine at the UF College of Medicine. They were published in the international scientific journal Pathogens.

Dr Ostrov notes that these findings could ultimately lead to the development of a product that could be used in the fight against COVID-19. At the same time, she cautions everyone against using diphenhydramine and lactoferrin in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. At this point, a very important question arises: what does this research really mean for an “ordinary” man. We asked prof. Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska from the Department of Virology and Immunology at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin.

The immunologist warns: you cannot treat them at home on your own

Our expert draws attention to a very important point: that the research was carried out only using the in vitro method, i.e. on cell lines (human and monkey).

– This means that at the moment we do not know whether the concentration of diphenhydramine and lactoferrin used in laboratory tests was what is currently achieved when these preparations are administered to humans, and whether such concentration would still inhibit viral replication – emphasizes Prof. Szuster-Ciesielska. Therefore, the next step is to conduct animal studies, and if the results are positive, start controlled clinical trials in humans (volunteers). “This is the sequence in drug research,” explains the immunologist.

– Considering the above, you cannot just go to the pharmacy, buy both preparations and treat yourself with them at home – warns prof. Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska. – I am very glad that the authors of this publication clearly emphasized this. The results of laboratory tests cannot be translated into clinical trials. They are only the basis for continuing further work in this direction.

– We had some confusion some time ago with the publication of a paper on amantadine in Communications Biology, where the authors suggested that it is indicated for the treatment of COVID-19. It was too far-fetched a conclusion – reminds the virologist. – A correction of this text has recently been published. The amendments emphasized that the results of their analyzes only provide a strong basis for further clinical trials (more on the controversial article on amantadine). In the case of work on diphenhydramine and lactoferrin, the situation is similar – emphasizes the scientist.

Diphenhydramine and lactoferrin in the treatment of COVID-19. When will it be possible to use them?

Unfortunately, no one is able to answer the question of how long research into the effectiveness of diphenhydramine and lactoferrin in combating COVID-19 will last. – This time depends on too many factors beyond the scientists’ control – says Prof. Szuster-Ciesielska.

– As a result, some drugs are tested very quickly, while others are not. The “bottleneck” in clinical analyzes is to collect a sufficiently large study group. And so, for example, with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, there was no problem with it – people came in crowds. With amantadine it goes very reluctantly. The research has been going on for about a year, and there are still not enough volunteers to draw statistically significant conclusions – emphasizes the scientist.

There is also optimistic news regarding the search for drugs effective in combating COVID-19. At the moment, a very promising drug is Paxlovid of the Pfizer concern (in November, the concern applied to the American Food and Drug Administration for approval to introduce the product to the market). – Paxlovid reduces the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% if it is administered to adults within a few days of the onset of the first symptoms – explains Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska, emphasizing that “of course, the search for further drugs to combat COVID-19 makes sense”. Returning to diphenhydramine and lactoferrin, research on the ability of these compounds to limit coronavirus replication is still at a very, very early stage.

You may be interested in:

1. A controversial publication about amantadine. Prof. Thrust: indiscriminate faith in this drug can be dangerous
2. How Much Does COVID-19 Treatment Cost At Home? Here is my kit
3. This is how the coronavirus kills. The doctor tells you what “fails” in the body

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.