COVID-19: Can We Treat It? (Treat It?) No One Wants To Be Defeated!

On this week's episode of the pod, we answer a question that we receive quite frequently: What are the current effective COVID-19 treatments?
We spend some time discussing how attempts have been made to repurpose existing medications for treatment which saves time rather than developing new ones from scratch. We kick things off with remdesivir-- the only FDA-approved treatment for adults and some children who require hospitalization. We discuss how remdesivir works and present some real-world evidence of its impact on mortality and time-to-discharge from the hospital. Next, we tackle monoclonal antibody treatments which have received emergency use authorization from the FDA to treat mild/moderate COVID-19 illness in adults and some older children.  We discuss some other treatments (such as Baricitinib plus remdesivir) and Tocilizumab. We also discuss Dexamethasone and present some trial data on its use in improving mortality rates as compared to usual care. Next, we spend some time discussing nutritional supplements such as vitamin C, zinc, and particularly vitamin D which has received a lot of attention (mainly by supplement sellers). We briefly talk about the current status of ongoing clinical trials, using the oral antiviral Molnupiravir as an example. Next, we talk at length about Ivermectin and the mixed and weak evidence that has led the FDA, NIH, and WHO to conclude that there are insufficient data for the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19. Finally, we close the episode with a discussion of Hydroxychloroquine and the fact that clinical trials were halted early due to lack of effectiveness. 
We are taking a break for the summer, but plan to come back with some exciting content in season 2! Stay safe, everyone!

PLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals.  Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual.  As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional.  If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional. 

Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance.

RESOURCES

• CDC: What to Do If You Are Sick With Covid-19

• Therapeutic Management: Covid-19 Treatment Guidelines

• FDA: Know Your Treatment Options for Covid-19

• Gilead’s Veklury® (Remdesivir) Associated With a Reduction in Mortality Rate in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 Across Three Analyses of Large Retrospective Real-World Data Sets

• FDA Authorizes Additional Monoclonal Antibody for Treatment of COVID-19

• FDA Authorizes Drug Combination for Treatment of COVID-19

• Baricitinib plus Standard of Care for Hospitalized Adults with COVID-19

• Baricitinib plus Remdesivir for Hospitalized Adults with Covid-19

• Effectiveness of Tocilizumab in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19

• Tocilizumab in Patients Admitted to Hospital with COVID-19

• Tocilizumab in Hospitalized Patients with Severe Covid-19 Pneumonia

• Dexamethasone and COVID-19: The Randomized Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) Trial

• Dexamethasone in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19

• COVID-19 Drugs: Are There Any That Work?

• Treatments Your Healthcare Provider Might Recommend if You Are Sick

• Covid-19 Treatment Guidelines

• Sorting Out Whether Vitamin D Deficiency Raises COVID-19 Risk

• COVID-19 and Misinformation: How an Infodemic Fuelled the Prominence of Vitamin D

• Large Clinical Trial to Study Repurposed Drugs to Treat COVID-19 Symptom

• Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics Provide Update on Progress of Clinical Development

• Ivermectin: Covid-19 Treatment Guidelines

• The Mechanisms of Action of Ivermectin Against SARS-CoV-2: An Evidence-Based Clinical Review Article

• A Five-Day Course of Ivermectin for the Treatment of COVID-19 May Reduce the Duration of Illness

• Table 2c. Ivermectin: Selected Clinical Data

• COVID Outpatients Don't Benefit From Hydroxychloroquine, Lopinavir-Ritonavir