Scientific efforts continue to find a treatment for the coronavirus at all levels, with researchers worldwide conducting daily tests, including on drugs for other diseases, to see if they can help treat the virus. Scientists from the University of Georgia in the United States have revealed in a study published on "Nature Reports" that a gout medication may be effective against COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.
Experiments conducted on "hamsters" showed that the drug Probenecid, used to treat gout, possesses antiviral properties, making it a primary option not only for combating COVID-19 but also for other deadly respiratory viruses.
According to Ralph Tripp, the study's lead author and a researcher in vaccines and therapeutic studies, this antiviral works against all respiratory viruses tested, including human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and the novel coronavirus, indicating that it can reduce infections and illness when used.
He explained that the drug serves as a preventive measure before contracting the virus and acts as a treatment after exposure to COVID-19 and influenza, with laboratory tests confirming its effectiveness against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Additionally, researchers believe that Probenecid may enhance the effectiveness of other treatments, as it is already used to boost the efficacy of certain antibiotics, suggesting it could also work alongside other COVID-19 treatments.
Healthcare workers can take the drug to prevent infection, as it is widely available, and primary care physicians can prescribe it to patients, who can easily obtain it from pharmacies.
Notably, Probenecid has been available on the market for about 40 years, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is primarily used to treat gout, while being widely available in the United States and having few side effects.
