Ytl doc moots asthma drug to treat breathlessness in Covid patients

Nagpur: A psychiatrist from Yavatmal has proposed administering an asthma drug as a cheap option for symptomatically treating the Covid-19 patients having respiratory distress, which is one of the main causes of death.
As the expert committee of Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) held an online meet to hear suggestions from various doctors, Dr Prashant Chakkarwar made the case for montelukast, a drug given to asthma patients.
Following the presentation, Chakkarwar told TOI a senior member of the committee, Dr Y K Gupta said the panel was in favour of conducting clinical trials on these lines. However another member of the committee contacted by TOI said it may be too early to conclude as ICMR has been receiving a number of suggestions on treating Covid-19.
He has insisted the drug can be given in low doses along with the present medication recommended by the ICMR for Covid treatment. A tablet of montelukast costs Rs 5 to 6 each, he said.
According to Chakkarwar’s theory, any infection leads to generation of cytokines in the body, which in turn create antibodies to fight the disease. However, in 4% to 5% of patients Covid-19 infection leads to excessive generation of cytokines which is called a cytokine storm.
Cytokines have an inflammatory property that leads to swelling of the alveoli in the lungs. This leads to respiratory distress and even death. Recent research has shown that leukotriene acts as a catalyst in cytokine generation and enhances its growth. Excessive leukotriene leads to swelling in the bronchi which are also part of the lungs. This is a condition in asthma for which montelukast is given.
Montelukast hits the leukotriene generation providing ease to asthma patient. There are chances that if a Covid patient is administered the drug, it may help reduce even the normal count of leukotriene in the body. This in turn may contain the cytokine storm.
Chakkarwar said reduction of leukotriene could lead to fall in immunity which could be separately treated. High dosage could also lead to depressive thoughts. A Covid patient could be given a low dose, he added.
Chakkarwar is not sure whether the cytokine storm in Covid is actually caused by increase in leukotriene in the body but a chance could be taken. No research has established the cytokine-leukotriene connection in Covid, he clarified. There were papers which pointed out the connection but in other diseases, he said.