Three French doctors used a combination of azithromycin and zinc to treat hundreds of patients infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Azithromycin With Zinc
Inspired by Previous work on the combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, three doctors practicing in the Moselle in northern France have tested a new treatment on hundreds of patients. Not able to prescribe chloroquine which can only be prescribed in hospital, they prescribed to their coronavirus patients the antibiotic azithromycin along with zinc to increase its effectiveness, while patients with asthma were also prescribed Singulair (montelukast), which has anti-inflammatory properties.
Dr. Gastaldi added that he prescribed this combination to over 200 patients. Statistically, among them, he would have had at least 2 deaths and 40 hospitalizations. However, he explains that he had only two serious cases that required hospitalization and they have since been discharged.
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These encouraging results are reinforced by the diversity of his clientele of all ages and some with risk factors. One of Dr. Gastaldi’s colleagues, Dr. Erbstein, also stressed that none of his patients required hospitalization and so far none have died.
They also point out that azithromycin, unlike hydroxychloroquine, has fewer side effects and is widely prescribed for children and adults. “I prescribe it long-term for people with chronic bronchitis,” says Dr. Erbstein.
What is the treatment for coronavirus?
When asked by Le Parisien, the doctors admitted that it was not a randomized study at all, but claimed to have obtained some interesting results. One of the doctors suffering from Covid-19 took the same protocol to treat his coronavirus infection. “ I wasn’t feeling well on Friday, but after taking the meds I was able to go back to work on Monday. This is the reaction of almost all my patients who said they were fine after three days,” explains Dr. Gastaldi.
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However, both doctors remain cautious. Both stress that this approach is “very empirical”. “There are no comparative studies,” explains Dr. Erbstein. “Of course, this is not a multicenter, randomized trial, but these are very interesting results,” says Dr. Gastaldi.
Can azithromycin prevent coronaviruses?
To find out if azithromycin works on coronavirus it will be the subject of another study that the Paris Hospital (AP-HP) is launching to test the drug’s effectiveness in preventing the disease. 900 caregivers will participate in this study: 300 will receive chloroquine, 300 will receive azithromycin, and 300 will receive a placebo. We should know the results when the study concludes in 70 days.
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Reference
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FEEDBACK:
Wondering why Hydroxychloroquine, with Azithromycin, and Zinc is not part of the trial.