If the first studies report a preventive effect of nicotine on Covid-19, this should not lead non-smokers to use anti-tobacco patches to protect themselves.
- Some observations suggest that nicotine would protect against Covid-19
- But health authorities recommend against applying a patch due to unproven effectiveness and the risk of side effects.
After the publication of studies reporting an under-representation of smokers among people infected with Covid-19, health authorities are stepping up to the plate. Without calling into question the veracity of the revelations on the potential preventive role of nicotine against the coronavirus, the latter calm the game. Yes, these studies constitute “interesting trails”according to Olivier Véran, Minister of Health, but the self-medication of non-smokers with treatments containing nicotine, such as anti-tobacco patches, is not the solution.
Smokers, less affected by Covid-19 but more seriously
Anti-smoking patches and any other nicotine-based treatment are strongly discouraged for non-smokers, particularly because of the side effects. “Be careful not to put on a nicotine patch if you are not a smoker”, simply explained Olivier Véran this Wednesday, April 22 before the Senate. “Those who do not smoke should absolutely not use it, because there are many side effects: vomiting, malaise, and addictions”, reminded the Director General of Health, Jérôme Salomon. In addition, there are also sleep disturbances or the appearance of local itching, not to mention other problems caused by the interaction with other drugs.
In addition, the latter asserted that if smokers are less represented among those infected with the coronavirus, the infection is more serious among them. “Smokers have severe forms of Covid-19, and the damage can lengthen the duration of care and increase mortality. We advise against taking nicotine. Smoking is the number one killer in France”recalls Professor Zahir Amoura who officiates at the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital.
Three-step tests
The studies carried out on the potentially preventive effect of nicotine on Covid-19 are for the moment observational. Clinical studies will be conducted to learn more about how nicotine opposes the spread of the virus in the body. These trials will be undertaken with the use of nilotic patches within the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital in three ways. First on the caregivers, in a preventive way, in order to study if this protects them. Then it will be used on hospitalized patients to reduce symptoms. Finally, this will be tested on serious patients and placed in intensive care.
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