Gout drug may help treat inflammation linked to severe COVID-19, study finds

[PeteS in CA]

Gout drug may help treat inflammation linked to severe COVID-19, study finds

https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2021/02/04/Gout-drug-may-help-treat-inflammation-linked-to-severe-COVID-19-study-finds/9671612464924/

Feb. 4 (UPI) -- A drug used to treat gout reduces the need for supplemental oxygen and speeds recovery in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19, according to a study published Thursday by RMD Open.

Infected patients treated with the drug, colchicine, needed oxygen support to maintain breathing for nearly three fewer days and spent two fewer days in the hospital than those not given the anti-inflammatory.

Colchicine, which the authors of the study describe as inexpensive, is used to treat and prevent systemic inflammatory conditions, including gout.

Wish I'd known this a month ago. I have colchicine for gout, but only use it when needed, which hasn't happened for quite a while.

[jmyrlefuller]

For some odd reason, I vaguely recall it being explored in the early days of the pandemic though I can't seem to pinpoint any specifics.

[PeteS in CA]

Part of standard treatment in hospitals is a steroid to reduce inflammation (related to Covid-caused pneumonia). So using a readily available gout drug early on seems like a good strategy, and if it's suitable for hospital usage (= effective) that would avoid/reduce the use of the steroid, which does affect one's personality some and elevates one's blood sugar.