Asthma Drug Seems Effective For Covid - 19 Pneumonia
Japanese doctors say an asthma drug appears to be effective in reducing symptoms of coronavirus patients who developed pneumonia.
A medical team at Ashigarakami hospital in Kanagawa Prefecture treated patients who became ill aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. They have announced the results of their study on the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases' website.
Their report says three patients were given an asthma drug called Ciclesonide, a steroid inhalant to suppress the immune system.
The medical team said the patients were all over 65 years of age and had oxygen support, but were not in serious condition.
The research shows that the patients were given Ciclesonide on February 20 and their health improved in about two days. A 73-year-old woman is said to have been discharged.
The doctors say they used the drug after receiving information about it from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
They say the drug reaches the lungs where the virus is multiplying so it could be effective in reducing inflammation there.
The medical team plans to investigate the effectiveness of the treatment jointly with other medical institutions because they treated only a small number of patients.
