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Aug 20, 2020 by Sue Visser

Treating COVID-19 with repurposed drugs

Treating COVID-19 with repurposed drugs like Ebselen and Ivermectin versus orthomolecular supplementation

Radio interview for Ifm with Sue Visser and Zulaikha Amod 3:30 pm 20^th August 2020

Finding new applications for the already approved drugs we have in the marketplace gives us the advantage of knowing about side effects and cheaper generic versions are available in some cases. As soon as we mention the pandemic, people get excited about Plaquenol, the drug we call hydroxychloroquine. Another popular – and very expensive antibiotic called Zithromax is used in combination with this anti-malarial drug.

Q: In the first place, what is the most common cause of symptoms that affect breathing, fever and inflammation?

A: Certainly not any defficiency of hydroxychloroquine or Zithromax! A lack of glutathione is now what the latest scientific studies are pointing to as a primary cause of coronavirus-based complications. There are a number of key micronutrients as well as amino acids we need to maintain our glutathione status. So the most common cause of a global coronavirus pandemic should be addressed. This involves nutrition, not drugs! When we are full of toxins, pathogens and chronic conditions caused by poor eating habits our immune system is already down and out. Dr Horowitz a renowned researcher of Lyme disease noticed the dramatic, almost immediate relief that patients who could hardly breathe experienced with glutathione within 1 hour of administration. “Although anecdotal,” he said, “I have heard from patients who were on NAC and glutathione when they were exposed to COVID-19, that they did not get sick or test positive for the virus, when others around them did.” Cytokines are made by the body to fight invaders; but when there are too many, when the immune system is on overdrive, the cytokines turn on the host itself. Glutathione and related supplements may well stop COVID’s “cytokine storm syndrome.”

Q: What exactly is glutathione – can we buy it over the counter, without a prescription?

Glutathione is one of the body’s master antioxidants and plays an important role in our defences, regulating cytokine responses and immunity. GSH is a small protein molecule composed of 3 amino acids: cysteine, glutamate, and glycine called GSH precursors or building blocks. (I often talk about glutamate and the supplement L-glutamine converts to glutamate, as does MSG.) Vitamin C, another very effective antioxidant also inhibits airway inflammation and increases glutathione. Zinc is known to play a central role in the immune system and is one of the most effective ways to deactivate the replication of the coronavirus’s RNA. The most effective way, as we mentioned in the first of our talks on Covidd-19 is to tune up the immune system. Selenium is a cofactor for the production of glutathione. Supporting our natural ability to ward off and treat both viral and bacterial diseases is all we need to do. However, this approach is the one we are constantly reminded to forget about!

Oral glutathione supplements that include the bioavailable precursors such as N Acetylcysteine can effectively increase glutathione production and hence improve the outcome of patients. For the emergency treatment of coronavirus-infected patients, some forms of glutathione can be inhaled into the lungs or used trans-dermally or intravenously.

https://www.lymedisease.org/pfeiffer-preventing-covid/ Science suggests we can prevent COVID, even when defenses fail by Mary Beth Pfeiffer, thefirstepidemic.com https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7172740/ Efficacy of glutathione therapy in relieving dyspnea associated with COVID-19 pneumonia: A report of 2 cases http://www.immunehealthscience.com/glutathione.html What Glutathione (GSH) is and how it affects your immune health

Q: What is this newly re discovered – wonder drug they call Ebselen and are there any harmful side effects?

A: How about Ebselen? In the past, doctors have used Ebselen to help treat bipolar disorder, cataracts and hearing loss. Recent studies show that it inhibits the virus’s main protease, which is known as Mpro. As a consequence, scientists have already shown that Ebselen is safe. It also exerts a powerful antibacterial effect on drug resistant strains like staphylococcus aureus and significantly reduces their elusive biofilms. It doubles up as an anti-inflammatory and can reduce cytokine levels. Ebselen is a selenium-based organic complex, which can mimic the activity of glutathione peroxidase. It is a strong antioxidant, which increases the efficiency of glutathione and has a strong neutralizing effect against free radicals, especially when it comes to inflamed airways. Not only for coronavirus patients, but also for lungs that have been damaged by cigarette smoke.

The use of colloidal silver and Ebselen in synergistic formulations has been shown to be effective against five, clinically difficult-to-treat MDR Gram negative bacteria. Ebselen has low cytotoxicity (LD50 tests in rats) and its safety in humans has been evaluated in several clinical trials. The clinical potential for the combination of Ebselen plus colloidal silver for SARS-CoV-2 treatment is very promising. It would bypass the necessity for separate antiviral drugs – plus antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs as well as antioxidants. Novel antimicrobials are becoming increasingly difficult to develop and are currently unable to keep pace with the emergence of resistant bacteria as it is. Because Ebselen mimics the natural substance we call glutathione peroxidase, it behaves like a micronutrient in its own right with an excellent safety record.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/another-existing-drug-shows-promise-against-covid-19#Ebselen

https://www.nature.com/articles/srep11596 Repurposing Ebselen for treatment of multidrug-resistant staphylococcal infections

https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/08/14/sciadv.abd0345

Q: What is colloidal silver and why are we told it is dangerous.

According to WEBMED, “There are currently no FDA-approved over-the-counter or prescription drugs containing silver that are taken by mouth. However, there are still colloidal silver products being sold as homeopathic remedies and dietary supplements. Colloidal silver is used for infections, hay fever, skin conditions, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of its uses. Colloidal silver can be unsafe when taken by mouth, applied to the skin, inhaled, or given by IV. Despite some claims, there is no good evidence to support using colloidal silver for COVID-19. In fact, it can be unsafe. We are advised to follow healthy lifestyle choices and proven prevention methods instead.” Is this really the case? Absolutely not! Only silver nanoparticles (colloids) can survive inside the body. Metallic silver particles are unaffected by hydrochloric stomach acid and chloride ions and will circulate in the bloodstream. The particles will slowly be eliminated from the body and do not build up. It is the particles of metallic silver that provide the real benefit, especially against viruses as well as bacteria.

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-779/colloidal-silver

Q: Does it really make us turn blue?

The adult daily dosage of supplemental colloidal silver is about 5ml – 10 ml daily and this amount could hardly be deemed as dangerous or the cause of argyria (turning the skin blue) or anything untoward. Unlike the queue of pills that are prescribed for treating both chronic and acute conditions, there are no side effects at the recommended dosage. Nobody would overdose on their prescribed medications, would they? We would have to consume 48 times more colloidal silver every day for a year in order to turn blue. If you take 48 times more antivirals, antibiotics, blood thinners, sleeping pills or antipsychotic medications than prescribed, you would not turn blue!

https://readynutrition.com/resources/colloidal-silver-series-part-1-myths-and-truths-about-side-effects_21052018/ Colloidal Silver: Myths And Truths About Side Effects BY READY NUTRITION · PUBLISHED MAY 28, 2018

Q: What about other drugs that can support glutathione?

A: Antabuse, a drug that is commonly used for treating alcohol abuse offers a number of benefits as a treatment for SARS-CoV-2. The generic of is called Disulfiram and as previously demonstrated in vitro with SARS and MERS coronaviruses, inhibits the main coronavirus protease (M pro) and stops it from replicating. It also helps the body to compensate for a loss of glutathione. As we now know, a glutathione deficiency (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral) is the leading cause of respiratory distress and cytokine storms. The drug is not expensive and has the advantage of doubling up as a treatment for alcoholics. For South Africa this has additional benefits, as many of the vacant coronavirus/pandemic beds are occupied by the victims of alcohol abuse.

https://medicaldialogues.in/medicine/news/alcoholism-drug-disulfiram-potentially-effective-against-covid-19-68350

https://english.jagran.com/lifestyle/drug-used-against-alcoholaddiction-may-be-key-to-covid-19-cure-finds-russian-study-10014992

Q: Are there any drugs that can help with the cytokine storm?

A: Yes, a surprising one comes from a popular veterinary drug called Ivermectin. It is used for killing scabies and other parasites that affect farm animals. Now, according to Dr Kylie Wagstaff, who led the latest study: “We found that even a single dose could essentially remove all viral RNA by 48 hours and that even at 24 hours there was a really significant reduction in it,”. Besides this, it is also used in a tablet form to cure roundworm infection and second-line treatment for scabies and rosacea, a skin condition that results in redness and causes pus-filled bumps on the face. I noticed how well the Ivermectin injection worked for my cat that had some crusty sores that were red and itchy. After a few days, the lesions were gone and the bleeding, inflammation and itching stopped. I thought this was due to the shot of cortisone that was given. But then I heard about the use of Ivermectin for COVID-19 and discovered that the way it kills parasites is to super-relax them so they lose their grip on the host. Ivermectin is classified as a GABA – agonist. In other words it works as an activator of GABA, our chief inhibitory neurotransmitter. Natural equivalents we all use come from herbs like valerian, passiflora and hops that are herbal tranquillizers and sedatives!

https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/coronavirus-drug-ivermectin-6355993/ Lice drug ‘possible’ solution to Covid-19: What is Ivermectin?

Q: What about natural or herbal remedies or orthomolecular medicine?

In the absence of a scientifically proven cure or preventive for novel coronavirus infection, should one use alternative medicine? We could well ask if a brand new and untested vaccine is safe to use, especially if there is no guarantee and no liability?

As a health researcher and keen observer of Covid-19 treatments for the global pandemic it is difficult to recommend a tried and tested, reliable natural remedy like Artemisia, olive leaf, kalonjie or colloidal silver without being shot down in flames. As for orthomolecular medicine, do we need any more scientific proof that we lack the basic nutrients we need to maintain a healthy happy immune system. Like all viruses, the latest strain we now call SARS-CoV-2 spreads by RNA replication and the race is on to find something to inhibit it. Coronaviruses involve proteases that are situated on their characteristic spikes. In this case, the protease called Mpro is one of the main targets to address with an effective protease inhibitor.

We are constantly reminded by the WHO that: “While some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease. WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. However, there are several ongoing clinical trials that include both western and traditional medicines.” They say that “Doctors are discouraging use of drugs recommended by practitioners of alternative medicine because a drug has to be developed keeping in mind its safety and efficacy.”

https://www.medicalacademic.co.za/integrative-medicine/natural-remedies-for-covid-19/ Natural remedies for COVID-19? By Sue Visser

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/can-alternative-medicine-work-against-the-coronavirus-6335098/ Explained: Can alternative medicine work against the coronavirus?