Covid-19 has changed the way we all will interact with each other,
and the world of online pharmacy is no exception. Since the beginning
of the pandemic, people have been searching for answers; looking to buy
something to help with the aches and pains of a new normal.
While there are no guaranteed medicines to treat Covid-19,
many people have claimed that certain supplements help. One of these
is the popular herb Viagra, which has been touted as beneficial
for years. Could the drug finally be a viable treatment for Covid-19?
The makers of Viagra have recently revealed that the
prodrug (generic name sildenafil) actually stands for ‘sildenafil
levulina’, ‘sildenafil lactate’ and ‘sildenafil citrate’. This
is significant as it may suggest that the drug’s original patent
(currently held by Pfizer) could be challenged. Additionally, a newly-updated
warning on the FDA website may also prompt patients to seek alternatives
to Viagra.
Has Viagra Ever Given Effective Relief for Patients With Covid-19?
To address this question, we must first examine whether Viagra
has ever been shown to be clinically effective in treating patients
with COVID-19. To our knowledge, no formal review has been published,
but numerous anecdotal reports, case series and small studies have.
The first piece of evidence in support of Viagra for
Covid-19 was a case series of five patients with no prior treatment
history who were administered 50 mg of sildenafil citrate three times
a day. The results of this study were published in JAMA
Internal Medicine in May 2020 and showed an improvement in all
participants’ symptoms after a mean (standard deviation) of 10.2 (4.2)
days of treatment.
Is This the Best Available Evidence to Assess Viagra’s Effectiveness
for Patients With Covid-19?
While we await the results of further clinical trials, it is
important to remember that there is a wealth of information that
is already available to the public. Weighing the relative merits of
studies is always tricky, but in the case of medications like
Viagra, the general consensus is that they are not useful in treating
Covid-19. With this in mind, let’s examine the available evidence
in detail.
Why Are Studies of Vitamin C For Treating Covid-19 Negative?
To begin with, it is important to recognize that vitamin C does
not (necessarily) work in isolation and is most effective when combined
with other supplements or medicines. Indeed, there is a wealth of evidence
that suggests combining different substances in a single pill could
lead to a more effective treatment than administering each drug individually.
In a similar vein, there is preliminary evidence suggesting that COVID-19
might be treated with a combination of lopinavir and ritonavir (commonly
used in the treatment of AIDS).
The reason that initial studies of vitamin C for
Covid-19 were negative is that they lacked the proper test
population. The drug was initially assessed in a small sample size
(25 patients) in which all had severe Covid-19, with 85% requiring
intubation and 55% developing acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Even in this selected group, no significant difference in outcomes
was observed between those treated with vitamin C and those who
received a placebo.
Does This Mean That Vitamin C Is Not a Good Medication For Patients
With Covid-19?
Although there is a wealth of evidence suggesting that
combining different substances in a single pill could be beneficial,
it does not mean that vitamin C is not a useful medication for patients
with Covid-19. Indeed, we know that vitamin C is extremely effective
in the treatment of scarlet fever, measles and chickenpox, among
others. This is why it is always included in first aid kits and
is recommended by physicians for patients with the common cold or
flu-like symptoms. In light of this, it is important to keep in mind
that there is no evidence supporting a link between vitamin C and
the severity of COVID-19, or any other purported link to pharmaceutical
compounds.
What About Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)?
Other than the flu and cold medications mentioned above, vitamin
C also has an important role to play in reducing the severity of
staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This is a bacterium that commonly
occurs in the nasal passages of healthy humans and can cause a number
of different infections, ranging from mild to severe. Fortunately,
there is an effective way to treat MRSA using vitamin C, and it
involves administering the nutrient intravenously (injection)
or intranasally (in a lozenge). As mentioned by the Infectious
Disease Society of America, studies have shown that intravenous
administration of vitamin C can be an effective way to treat patients
with moderately severe to severe MRSA infections. Furthermore,
an oral regimen has also been shown to be equally effective.
Can Vitamin C Help Prevent Or Mitigate The Effects Of COVID-19?
While we cannot say for certain whether or not vitamin C
can prevent the effects of COVID-19, we do know that it has the
potential to reduce the seriousness of the infection. The reason
why this is significant is that many patients experience a significant
rebound in energy after only being administered the micronutrient.
This is why it is always included in energy drinks and is why some
physicians have suggested that those with chronic illnesses might
benefit from regular vitamin C intake.
How Does Vitamin C Work To Prevent The Effects Of COVID-19?
It is well established that vitamin C functions as a potent
antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals, which are small molecules
that can damage human cells. Indeed, many studies have reported
that vitamin C can protect the lungs and immune system from viral
infections and toxins, and it has been shown to be effective in
the treatment of AIDS and the common cold. As mentioned by the
disease and infection society, free radicals are one of the primary
causes of aging and countless diseases. The key to understanding
how vitamin C works to prevent the effects of COVID-19 is that it
protects human cells from damage caused by toxins and infections.
This, in turn, could lead to a reduction in the severity of the
outbreak. The fact that vitamin C has been shown to treat HIV and
AIDS is also significant as it suggests that the drug might be able
to combat the effects of other viruses, such as the COVID-19 virus.
Could These Findings Help Physicians Develop a Better Treatment
For COVID-19?
While it is always difficult to diagnose and treat any
form of viral infection, especially during a pandemic, these findings could
help physicians develop a better treatment for patients with COVID-19.
As mentioned by the Institute for Functional Medicine, vitamin
C is known to have potent anti-viral properties and it has been shown
to be effective in treating HIV and AIDS. Additionally, many physicians
have observed that patients experience a significant rebound in energy
after only being administered the nutrient. This suggests that a more
targeted treatment approach might be effective in reducing the severity
of COVID-19.
It is well-established that vitamin C has many important
roles in our bodies. From treating infections to boosting the
immune system, this nutrient is crucial in maintaining a healthy
body. In light of this, it is not surprising that many have touted
vitamin C as a potential treatment for COVID-19. However, much
like other medications and supplements, vitamin C does not work
in isolation and it is most effective when used in conjunction with
other therapies.