Asthma drug may help some Covid-19 pneumonia patients

[Tanuki]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200303_20/amp.html

"Japanese doctors say an asthma drug appears to be effective in reducing symptoms of coronavirus patients who developed pneumonia.

A medical team at Ashigarakami hospital in Kanagawa Prefecture treated patients who became ill aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. They have announced the results of their study on the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases' website.

Their report says three patients were given an asthma drug called Ciclesonide, a steroid inhalant to suppress the immune system.

The medical team said the patients were all over 65 years of age and had oxygen support, but were not in serious condition.
The research shows that the patients were given Ciclesonide on February 20 and their health improved in about two days. A 73-year-old woman is said to have been discharged.

The doctors say they used the drug after receiving information about it from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

They say the drug reaches the lungs where the virus is multiplying so it could be effective in reducing inflammation there.

The medical team plans to investigate the effectiveness of the treatment jointly with other medical institutions because they treated only a small number of patients."

[BigmanPigman]

1. I read on DU that an American who is in China has the virus.

He called home to ask his mom, a nurse, what to do. She suggested two prescriptions: anti- viral and anti-asthma. He felt a ton better in a week.

[Tucker08087]

2. Yes, I was treated with a nebulizer

for asthma when I had Legionnaires Disease. I’m curious as to why suppressing the immune system would be helpful, but I understand the anti-inflammatory aspect. Obviously an anti-viral would be helpful. I would assume normal protocol for viral pneumonias would be used.

[Bayard]

3. Maybe my Symbicort and Ventrolin will do me some good then.

[Nonhlanhla]

4. Good news for once

I am asthmatic and currently battling bronchitis, and have been concerned about the immune suppressing nature of my steroid inhalers (and the short course of Prednisone the doctor put me on), even though I also know they control the inflammation. But perhaps my QVar steroid inhaler is good. I'm seeing my new regular doctor next week, and might discuss this with her.