Asthma Drug May Be Used To Treat Covid In Maharashtra, Says Top Doctor

Coronavirus: The Maharashtra government's task force is considering adding inhaled budesonide in the guidelines for patients with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19

A medicine mainly used to treat asthma patients and those with serious respiratory problems may be added to the list of supportive treatment for COVID-19 patients in Maharashtra, a doctor who is a member of the state's task force to tackle the pandemic has said. The drug, inhaled budesonide, is likely to be added to the list of medicines that could be used to support treatment of COVID-19 patients, the task force member Dr Rahul Pandit said. The Maharashtra government's task force is considering adding this medicine in the guidelines for patients with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. Inhaled budesonide in early treatment reduces the need for urgent medical care, according to a study published by Oxford University in the journal Lancet Respiratory Medicine.