for the record

[redbird]

So I can find it again in case I need it, current/possible covid treatments:

Paxlovid
dexamethasone (steroid)
metformin
low-dose naltrexone (off-label)

remdesivir (thank you Pamela)

convalescent plasma? (not currently available, but Carmen said research has resumed) -- ETA: the Infectious Disease Society of America is recommending against it for almost all patients: https://redbird.dreamwidth.org/3052630.html

??? anything that neither I nor my doctor have come across

I have no current symptoms or evidence of recent exposure, this was prompted by an email conversation with rysmiel. Also, cattitude went to Walgreens today and got more covid tests with our health insurance card. I'd rather go somewhere else, but CVS is no longer in the Tufts Health Direct network for this, and the other options range from maybe in plausible transit distance (Rite-Aid) to definitely not (Bartell's).

Comments

[ckd]

Yeah, I think your nearest Bartell's is not exactly close. :-D That said, Rite-Aid has bought them so I don't know how long the branding will stay the same; my nearest Bartell's might be on Null Island in a few years.

[pameladean]

There's also remdesivir, which was developed to be given in hospitals to people who were acutely ill. It doesn't actually work very well for that but can work earlier on in a COVID infection. Unfortunately, it requires three infusions over three days in a hospital or clinic, which is kind of problematic if you are infectious.

I also know people who couldn't take Paxlovid and were given molnupiravir instead. Some reported improvement, some didn't.

I'm not sure how readily available either is.

P.

[joseph_teller]

I didn't realize metformin was on the list of possible treatments, I take that twice daily already for my diabetes control. I hadn't heard about it being used for covid.

[redbird]

There's at least one study showing that metformin started soon after a covid diagnosis is somewhat protective against long covid: https://www.webmd.com/covid/news/20230309/diabetes-drug-helps-prevent-long-covid

People already taking metformin should be fine, but consult your doctor, I don't know how the dosage that was tested for this compares to what you're currently taking.

The same study also found, yet again, that ivermectin is useless against covid.

[joseph_teller]

I've followed thru on the link and done some reading, I am basically on the 1000mg dosage, which is the highest they use, so I can presume that I get some protection from the worst effects if I get infected.

My wife and I have managed to maintain precautions successfully thru all of this, but her work required trip to Chicago in 2 weeks worries me. This helps me worry a bit less, since I suspect she will not be able to avoid be exposed in the work gatherings. She's taking the slower, more expensive but safer 'private compartment' version of Amtrack to travel as we have seen so many folks fly and end up infected even with masks etc.