A Readily Available Antimicrobial Drug Has Shown Success in Combatting Coronavirus

Hong Kong researchers have announced that an inexpensive antimicrobial drug used to treat stomach ulcers and bacterial infections shows promising results in the fight against coronavirus in animals.

Researchers further studied metallodrugs, compounds that contain metal most commonly used as antimicrobial agents, to see whether they contain anti-viral properties that could fight the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

While studying one of the drugs known as ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC), and testing it on Syrian hamsters, scientists found that it has a potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent.

According to Hong Kong University researcher Runming Wang, RBC was able to lower the viral load in the lung of the infected hamster by tenfold. This demonstrates the potential of RBC as an anti-viral agent for Covid-19.

The Hong Kong scientists said that RBC is easily obtainable as it has been used for the treatment of abdominal ulcers and has a secure and complete pharmacological profile. And since it has been used for many years, this drug is fairly secure according to Mr. Wang.

The findings of their study have been published in the journal Nature Microbiology. The scientists also suggested that other metallodrugs may also be successful in the fight against the virus and that further study is needed to explore these drugs' potential. 

(Photo: pixabay)

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Different Drug Treatments for Coronavirus

With the widespread Covid-19 disease, scientists all over the world are continuously looking for drug treatment to combat the disease.

Some even resort to looking at readily available drugs to see if they are able to alleviate symptoms of the disease or help the body fight this infection. 

Remdesivir, a broad-spectrum antiviral drug, have been identified to lower the respiratory tract infection in patients diagnosed with coronavirus, thereby shortening the time to recovery. It has already obtained emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA, which allows its broad usage outside of clinical trials. Patients administered with this drug were medically stable enough to be discharged from the hospital. 

Dexamethasone, a widely available corticosteroid can reduce inflammation and improve survival outcomes.

Although both drugs were identified to provide some successes against coronavirus, they both have their drawbacks. 

There is a problem with the global supply of remdesivir, not to mention that it is an expensive drug. Dexamethasone, on the other hand, can suppress the immune system and impair the body's ability to fight off infection which can be risky for someone who is ill.

The use of corticosteroid therapy actually resulted in worse clinical outcomes in severe cases of pneumonia caused by influenza viruses, it led to secondary bacterial infection and death. This is the reason why patients who are undergoing dexamethasone therapy are closely monitored to see if the benefits of the treatment outweigh the risks involved.  

Other drugs have shown an increased risk of liver damage. This is why Hong Kong scientists are confident that this readily available drug, commonly used against stomach ulcers has a safe and comprehensive pharmacological profile.

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