COVID-19 News: Florida Study Shows That Low-Dose Naltrexone Can Improve Long-COVID Symptoms
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 24, 2024 9 months, 4 weeks, 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: Post–COVID-19 condition (PCC) has emerged as a complex and debilitating disease, characterized by persistent symptoms following the initial COVID-19 infection. The medical community has been actively exploring interventions to alleviate the symptoms of PCC, with limited success in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). This
COVID-19 News report delves into a groundbreaking study conducted by the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Miami, Florida, in collaboration with the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University. The study investigates the efficacy of treatments adapted from myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) for managing PCC symptoms. In particular, the study found that low-dose naltrexone can improve Long-COVID symptoms.
Thailand
Medical News had also previously covered another American study that also showed similar results in that low dose naltrexone could help with the treatment of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/american-study-shows-that-low-dose-naltrexone-is-a-promising-treatment-for-post-acute-sequelae-of-covid-19
The Florida Study Setting
The Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System's (VAHS) post–COVID-19 clinic, established in 2021, serves as a multidisciplinary center providing hybrid services, both remote and in-person. The clinic, comprising internal medicine providers, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, and nurse practitioners, plays a crucial role in addressing the unique challenges posed by PCC. Patients are referred by primary care providers or screened through a national VAHS digital prescreening pilot.
Baseline Characteristics
The study included 108 patients with PCC who initiated treatments, ensuring a minimum of 2 follow-up visits. The patients were categorized based on the treatments received, with the largest group receiving amitriptyline. Interestingly, those receiving a combination of amitriptyline and low-dose naltrexone were observed to be younger and with fewer comorbidities compared to those on duloxetine or undergoing physical therapy. These baseline characteristics set the stage for a comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness of different treatments.
Exploring Treatment Effectiveness
Drawing parallels between ME/CFS and PCC, the researchers adapted treatments proven effective in ME/CFS to the PCC population. Amitriptyline, duloxetine, and low-dose naltrexone, known for their efficacy in managing symptoms and inflammatory reactions in ME/CFS, were investigated. The study's findings revealed that low-dose naltrexone demonstrated superiority over physical therapy, while amitriptyline showed similar effectiveness. Furthermore, a noteworthy observation was the synergistic effect of physical therapy when combined with medications, suggesting a potential avenue for comprehensive treatment strategies.
The study sheds light on the effectiveness of low-dose naltrexone, amitriptyline, duloxetine, and physical therapy in managing PCC symptoms among veterans. The distinct impacts of these therapies on common symptoms underscore the importance of personalized and tailored treatment approaches. The findings not only contribute to the evolving understanding of PCC but also highlight the potential of repurposing medications previously used for similar symptoms in ME/CFS.
Conclusions
In conclusion, this Florida-based study provides crucial insights into the potential efficacy of medications, such as low-dose naltrexone and amitriptyline, for managing PCC symptoms. The observed differences in treatment impacts emphasize the need for personalized therapeutic strategies based on patient priorities. While the study offers promising results, the authors stress the necessity for formal RCTs to ascertain optimal dosages, target phenotypes, adverse events, and potential drug interactions. Future research endeavors should prioritize unraveling the underlying mechanisms of these medications, paving the way for more targeted and effective treatments for PCC. As the medical community continues to grapple with the challenges of PCC, studies like these provide hope and direction for improved patient outcomes.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Clinical Therapeutics.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149291824000031
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