Asthma spray: does it help against COVID-19?

Asthma spray against Corona? – Scientists published the first study results in the medical journal “Lancet”. According to data from the peer review process, the asthma spray budesonide should reduce the risk of a severe course and promote the healing process in the case of mild corona symptoms.

The phase II study shows that budesonide can reduce the risk of severe corona disease. However, further studies with other asthma sprays (inhaled glucocorticoids) are still pending.

Results are encouraging: COVID treatment with asthma spray possible

The results of the STOIC study (Steroid in  Covid-19  Study) were published last Friday in the British medical journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. SPD health expert and epidemiologist Karl Lauterbach was convinced of the study on Twitter: “In my opinion, a game changer because the study was well done and shows relevant family doctor early treatment.”

The results give hope: In order to generally recommend treatment with inhaled glucocorticoids in the case of a corona infection, however, more test persons and extended studies with this focus are needed.

However, the STOIC study has been criticized because a total of only 146 subjects in an open group took part: In order to rule out a  placebo effect  , two test groups were to be treated, of which only one group received the drug, while the other group received a placebo is administered. Sponsors of the study include the British National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Center and  AstraZeneca , the manufacturer of the asthma spray.

Does asthma spray help against corona: the results at a glance

The approach of the study is the assumption that people with asthma are more susceptible to corona infection. During the first corona wave, however, this group of people suffered less from a corona infection than expected. Researchers attributed this to treatment with inhaled glucocorticoids such as budesonide. The first study results can confirm this assumption:

• 73 volunteers in the intervention group inhaled 800 micrograms of budesonide twice a day with a Pulmicort Turbohaler. 
• The risk of prolonged medical treatment or hospitalization was reduced by 90 percent. 
• Severe symptoms such as  fever  were less important, and lower amounts of fever reducers were needed. 
• Faster healing process: After budesonide treatment, fewer people suffered from its consequences 28 days after the infection.

The results are a first clue and important clue for the treatment of COVID-19. However, further studies have yet to confirm the use of asthma spray in the event of a corona infection.