Study: Arthritis Drug SLASHES Coronavirus Death Risk (AMAZING!)
Researchers are working around the clock to find a treatment for the coronavirus.
And doctors are trying everything from natural cocktails to off-label pharmaceutical drugs.
Most are duds, but occasionally something shows promise.
And it looks like one particular drug SLASHED participants risk of dying from coronavirus in nearly HALF.
Here’s everything you need to know…
Researchers studied 154 patients intubated patients with coronavirus. These are the sickest of the sick.
Half received the arthritis drug tocilizumab, while the other half received standard treatment (and no tocilizumab).
The patients who received the arthritis drug were 45 percent less likely to die than those not receiving the drug.
Tocilizumab is what’s known as interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitor, which means it works by fighting inflammation in the body.
Scientists believe it’s effective against COVID-19 because it helps lower the type of inflammation – called “cytokine storms” – caused by the .
The cytokine storm triggers respiratory distress, which can lead to multi-system organ failure and—ultimately—death.
Reducing the risk of death by 45 percent is impressive, but there is a catch.
It turns out that the people in the group receiving the drug were younger and less likely to be suffering from an underlying pulmonary condition.
Historically, younger patients respond better to any drug than older patients.
The second catch is that about half of the patients receiving the arthritis drug developed a secondary lung infection (technically called a superinfection).
That’s not good, but it’s better than dying.
I’m always interested in what will extend survival—and at least in younger patients, tocilizumab seems promising.
But as with any drug or procedure, you have to weigh the benefits with the risks. And of course, discuss all the options with your doctor.