Turmeric is a popular spice that has been used for centuries as an herbal medicine due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite its popularity, turmeric is actually poorly absorbed by the human body. Although some have advocated for its use as a treatment for COVID-19, data to support the use of turmeric for COVID-19 are lacking.
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Ivermectin has been safely used to treat parasites (such as heart and intestinal worms) in animals and is approved for use in humans for parasite infections, head lice, and rosacea. It has not been shown to be effective for preventing or treating COVID-19 infection and taking products not intended for human use may lead to serious adverse effects.
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Paxlovid is an oral medication that recently received emergency use authorization from the FDA to prevent severe COVID-19 infection in high-risk individuals who test positive for the virus. While it is generally well tolerated, Paxlovid interacts with many commonly used medications, which can lead to toxicity.
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Fluvoxamine is a medication that has been used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder and depression. Recent clinical trials have shown that it may be effective for preventing hospitalizations and complications of COVID-19 infection, but it is not quite ready for prime time.
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Two old drugs used for malaria, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, are being studied for their potential to treat coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). Side effects from these drugs can be very serious and include irregular heart rhythms that can result in death.
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Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors target and reduce inflammation. One JAK inhibitor, baricitinib, is used to treat COVID-19 infection. The JAK inhibitor oclacitinib (Apoquel) has not been studied in humans and is not used to treat COVID-19 infection.
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Molnupiravir is an oral medication currently being investigated as a treatment for COVID-19 infection and has been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials. The pharmaceutical company Merck recently applied for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for molnupiravir from the US FDA.
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Cleaning wipes are available for a variety of surfaces. Since they are meant to be used with bare hands, they are mostly water and are not commonly associated with toxicity.
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Apoquel® is the brand name for oclacitinib, a medication approved for use in dogs to stop itching caused by many different reasons. This medication is similar to corticosteroids but, has fewer side effects. Oclacitinib is only indicated for use in dogs and is not for human consumption.
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Methylene blue is the antidote for a serious condition called methemoglobinemia but has also been studied for other medical uses. Since it has significant side effects and can interact with many medications, the routine use of methylene blue should be avoided.
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