Covid-19: Three antihistamines show efficacy in inhibiting coronavirus infection



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Three antihistamine drugs have shown some efficacy in inhibiting cellular infection by the novel coronavirus responsible for covid-19, according to preliminary results from a University of Florida study released Saturday.

The results on the effects of a group of antihistamines on the market were obtained by analyzing samples in the laboratory and in a detailed analysis of nearly 250,000 medical records of patients in California, explains a note from the University of Florida Health.

Preliminary results reveal that the use of hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine and azelastine is associated with “A reduced chance of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for covid-19”, emphasized the immunologist and professor of that institute, David Ostrov.

Thus, we found that these specific drugs showed direct antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in the laboratory. “, He added.

The data from the study, which led researcher Leah Reznikov, a professor at the University of Florida, could support the launch of a randomized, controlled clinical trial to determine whether the use of specific antihistamines “It can treat or even prevent covid-19 in humans”says the statement.

The fact that these drugs actually inhibit the virus in the laboratory does not necessarily mean that they actively inhibit it in people, but they can, “Ostrov said, noting that a” formal cause and effect relationship “has not been established., which explains the need for further investigation.

The researchers’ work focused on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE2), an e “Gateway” that the virus uses to invade human cells and in the analysis of nearly a quarter of a million patients in California.

They found that people aged 61 and over who took certain antihistamines were less likely to test positive for the new coronavirus than those who did not take the drugs.

Subsequently, they found that hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine and azelastine “Direct and statistically significant antiviral effects revealed” on SARS-Cov-2.

According to Reznikov, the data suggests that these three antihistamines can disrupt the virus’s interactions with ACE2 or join another protein that interferes with viral replication.

The researchers stressed, however, the importance that people do not self-medicate with these antihistamines as a preventative or therapeutic measure for covid-19 and that any type of use other than that indicated on the package insert should be consulted with the doctor.

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