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Asthma Drug Shortens Recovery Time In Non-hospitalised COVID-19 Patients: Study
A landmark study recently found that an inhaled drug commonly used for asthma shortens the recovery time of COVID-19 sufferers who do need hospital treatment.
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A landmark study recently found that an inhaled drug commonly used for asthma shortens the recovery time of COVID-19 sufferers who do need hospital treatment. According to the result from the Principle trial, British scientists from Oxford University found that budesonide, which is an anti-inflammatory medicine, can help accelerate recovery in the over 50s by an average of three days. The researchers said that the readily available drug, administered via a cheap inhaler twice a day for up to 14 days, can be prescribed through general practitioners, raising hope that doctors will be able to start treating COVID-19 patients at home early in their illness.
First drug for Covid in the community given green light
Oxford University researchers found that inhaled budesonide cuts illness time by three days in the most at-risk patients
Researchers noticed that people with asthma were under-represented in hospitalised Covid patients
Credit: Brian Lawless /PA
The first treatment for coronavirus in the community has been approved by the Department of Health after Oxford University found that a cheap asthma drug cuts illness times by three days.
There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus, with patients usually being advised to take paracetamol to reduce their fever, or cough medicine.
However, Oxford University found that in the most at-risk patients, inhaled budesonide clears up the infection far more quickly and may even prevent hospitalisation and long Covid.
An inhaled, widely available, asthma drug shortens recovery time in people with coronavirus who have not been admitted to hospital, a new study suggests.
British patients will be able to access the first ever at-home Covid-19 treatment after the NHS approved budesonide for use on a “case-by-case” basis among older adults in the community, which means that GPs will be able to prescribe it to their patients.
Researchers say the discovery is a “significant milestone” for the pandemic, and that the drug, budesonide, is effective as a treatment at home and during the early stages of the illness.
Early treatment with the medication shortens recovery time by a median average of three days in those with Covid-19 who are at higher risk of more severe illness and are treated in the community, according to the research.