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Over-the-Counter Medications to Help Combat Covid-19. By Our Student Pharmacist, Sandy Saleh.

immune system

COVID-19 has taken over the year of 2020. At the beginning of this year, the virus quickly spread and made it to the USA in a matter of weeks. The more we know about COVID-19, the more we realize that prescription drugs will not be able to help with the accompanying sickness.

COVID-19 is a virus. It is much harder to make medications to kill viruses than it is to make medications, such as antibiotics, to fight bacterial infections. The difficulty in fighting a virus is due to the fact that viruses invade our actual body cells while bacteria are freestanding and multiple on their own. Creating a drug that targets the virus without targeting body cells and causing damage is very difficult. We do have some antivirals for viral infections such as cold sores, but those antivirals only keep the cold sore virus from spreading. This is why many people have recurring cold sores and have to take the medications long term or every time a cold sore pops up. The virus stays in the body.

Most viral illnesses rely on your body to recognize the virus and fight the virus on its own. The flu is an example of a virus that usually goes away on its own due to a person’s immune system. People with weaker immune systems sometimes have more trouble fighting illnesses and have more complications from viruses.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently has only one drug that is approved to help with COVID-19. Remdesivir is an antiviral reserved for people who get super sick and it seems to help lower the risk of dying from the virus and possibly shortens hospital stays. Remdesivir is an expensive injectable drug and is not available to the general public.

Vaccines are used to prevent people from getting a virus and are probably not helpful for people actively infected.

vitaminsThe best way to combat COVID-19 is with over-the-counter (OTC) products that you can find at your local pharmacy. Since the human body does have the ability to fight off viruses, it is important that we take care of our bodies and keep up with its needs.

Our bodies need vitamins, which we can’t make on our own and vitamins play a huge role in our immune systems. Vitamins A, D, C and E support the immune system and help fight off infections. Vitamin C and D have been shown to shorten the length and severity of viral infections and other illnesses especially if a person is deficient in those vitamins.

Zinc is a mineral that is recommended to take at the first signs of illness because it helps the body make proteins that help the immune system.

Daily multi-vitamins are often recommended to take whether we are sick or healthy. Even though our bodies need vitamins, talk to a doctor or pharmacist about any supplements before you begin them.

Other options to help with COVID are OTC products to manage symptoms while your body fights off the virus. Many people with COVID develop a cough. Some people like using dextromethorphan for coughs, although cough drops may be best to minimize other side effects like drowsiness.

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with headaches and body aches. Talk to a pharmacist for the best personal option for any existing conditions or medications you have. There was early talk about ibuprofen worsening COVID, but there is no evidence to support this claim. Make sure to follow package directions and read all warnings for all medications.

For stomach and diarrhea issues, it is best to allow these symptoms to run their course and to stay hydrated. If you can’t keep liquids down or become dizzy, contact a provider.

pharmacycartoon

Just remember, pharmacists are the best for information on OTC medications and are easily reachable by phone while isolating for COVID. Pharmacists can review current symptoms and make sure that any OTC products you want to use do not interact with current medications and are safe for use.

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