In late January, doctors in the United Kingdom reported that men who had been taking the drug Viagra had a 47% fewer chance of contracting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) than men who had not taken the drug.
The link between Viagra and coronavirus was made after scientists in Italy noticed a similar link between sildenafil—the active ingredient in Viagra—and a common cold in mice. The virus that causes COVID-19 belongs to a family of viruses called coronaviruses, and like many other coronaviruses, it spreads mainly through person-to-person contact. Because it is so contagious, public health officials are especially concerned about the potential spread of COVID-19 inside hospitals, where staff might be in close contact with patients who are infected. The fear is that if a healthcare worker contracts the virus they might pass it on to other, healthier patients. Healthcare workers are therefore among the key groups that will need to be protected from COVID-19.
Why Is Viagra Useful For COVID-19?
In addition to helping men with erectile dysfunction, Viagra is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug that can be used to treat a wide range of viruses. Viagra was first approved to treat hypertension in 1998 and was then repurposed for use against the novel coronavirus in March 2020.
Viagra is effective at treating several types of viruses, including herpes, human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis C. It inhibits an enzyme called phosphodiesterase, which helps control the level of cGMP inside cells. Inhibition of this enzyme helps increase the level of cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) inside the cells of the endothelium—the thin layer of tissue that lines all blood vessels.
The increase in cGMP, in turn, helps maintain the structural integrity of blood vessels and prevents inflammation. Inhibition of phosphodiesterase also reduces the risk of blood clots in patients who are already taking anticoagulant drugs for other medical conditions. The anticoagulant effect of the drug is why doctors should not prescribe it without caution in people with bleeding disorders.
Viagra And COVID-19: Is There A Connection?
Although scientific data is still emerging, preliminary studies suggest that Viagra might be effective at preventing or treating COVID-19. Studies have shown that sildenafil can be used to treat several types of viral infections and that it is especially effective at treating both hepatitis C and COVID-19. The drug has also been shown to be effective at preventing the virus from spreading in cells and in animals.
Are There Any Side Effects From Taking Viagra?
The most common side effects of Viagra are headaches, upset stomach, and flushing. The drug is also known to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people with certain underlying health conditions. These risks must be weighed against the potential benefits of the drug, especially in light of the fact that there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine available for COVID-19. The only effective defense against the virus seems to be early diagnosis and isolation.
Many people are worried that taking Viagra could put them at risk for contracting COVID-19. It is therefore important for doctors to carefully weigh the benefits versus the risks of the drug before prescribing it to patients with or at risk for COVID-19. Still, until more is known about the link between Viagra and the new coronavirus, precautionary measures—like wearing a mask and washing hands frequently—should be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Currently, there are no known effective treatments for COVID-19. However, as more and more cases are reported every day, researchers are working hard to find a solution. The only proven way to prevent the spread of the virus is through early detection and isolation. Although there is no specific treatment for COVID-19 at this time, many individuals are seeking ways to supplement their regimen with alternative medicine therapies. One of the most promising therapies that doctors are investigating is the use of antiviral drugs like remdesivir and lopinavir/ritonavir.
What Is Remdesivir?
Remdesivir is a recently-developed antiviral drug that is being investigated for use against the novel coronavirus and other viruses. The drug was originally developed to treat Ebola and was named after the virus that causes it, the Ebola virus. Although the exact mechanism of action is not fully understood, remdesivir is believed to interfere with the replication of the virus.
Remdesivir has been shown to be effective at preventing and treating Ebola in cell culture and in animal models. It has also been shown to be effective at inhibiting the replication of the COVID-19 virus. However, because Ebola and COVID-19 are in the same family of viruses, there is not yet proof that remdesivir is also effective at treating COVID-19.
Is Lopinavir/Ritonavir Effective Against COVID-19?
Lopinavir is an antiviral drug and ritonavir is an antiretroviral drug. Lopinavir is part of a family of medicines called protease inhibitors. Like remdesivir, it inhibits an enzyme called protease inside cells and prevents the replication of HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS. Like remdesivir, it has also been shown to be effective at preventing and treating Ebola. However, ritonavir, which is used to boost the effect of lopinavir, has not been as extensively tested as remdesivir, but it has been used to treat patients with HIV/AIDS.
There have been several reports of compassionate use of lopinavir/ritonavir in patients with COVID-19, including reports from China and Italy. Preliminary data from these studies have shown that it might be an effective treatment for COVID-19. Lopinavir/ritonavir, which is usually given in combination, has also been shown to be effective at preventing the spread of influenza in individuals with or at risk for severe influenza. While there are no controlled studies to support the use of lopinavir/ritonavir against COVID-19, these studies do suggest that it might be a useful treatment. More and more doctors are suggesting that lopinavir/ritonavir be considered for COVID-19, especially in light of the limited effectiveness of the currently-available drugs.
Other Potential Treatments For COVID-19
In addition to remdesivir and lopinavir/ritonavir, doctors are also seeking other, non-traditional remedies in the fight against COVID-19. One of the most promising treatments is chloroquine. It is a medication that has been used to treat malaria for decades and has also been shown to have antiviral effects.
Chloroquine has been shown to be effective at preventing and treating the spread of several viruses, including coronaviruses, influenza A, and HIV. Like remdesivir and lopinavir/ritonavir, it inhibits an enzyme called protease in order to prevent viral replication. Protease is an important enzyme in many different biochemical pathways and so inhibiting it may have beneficial effects in many different organ systems.
There are, however, several things that doctors need to keep in mind when considering the use of chloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19. First of all, it has not been tested as extensively as remdesivir or lopinavir/ritonavir against the new coronavirus. Second, many people are already extremely skeptical about whether or not chloroquine will be effective against COVID-19. Finally, it is a relatively dangerous medication. High doses can trigger seizures, and it has been reported to cause both short- and long-term side effects, such as damage to the eyes and skin. For these reasons, doctors often only use it as part of a clinical trial.
Summary
While there is currently no specific treatment for COVID-19, many individuals are interested in alternative medicine therapies in the fight against the pandemic. One of the most promising treatments for the disease seems to be remdesivir, which was originally developed to treat Ebola. Another possible treatment that doctors are suggesting is lopinavir/ritonavir, which is usually given in combination. While there are no controlled studies to support the use of these drugs against COVID-19, preliminary data from studies in China and Italy have shown that it might be an effective treatment. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.