While several molecules are already being tested for the treatment of the coronavirus, for the first time, it is an antipsychotic that will be tested against Covid-19. In addition to antivirals, blood plasma with antibodies, or even immunomodulators … it is chlorpromazine that will be administered to coronavirus patients. This drug, marketed under the name Largactil, is well known in psychiatric departments, which prescribe it to patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
Already known antiviral effects
The antiviral effects of chlorpromazine had already been noticed, especially against other coronaviruses and influenza. Since the start of the epidemic, doctors at Sainte-Anne hospital in Paris had noticed that only 3% of patients interned in their department had contracted Covid-19. While 17% of caregivers in contact with them had contracted the virus .. Could the molecule protect against the virus?
Results expected in a month
“With the Pasteur Institute, we were able to show that chlorpromazine did indeed have antiviral efficacy against the new coronavirus. It will interfere with the entry of viruses into cells by blocking the tools that viruses will use to enter the cell.“Dr Marion Plaze, head of the Sainte-Anne hospital, told France Inter. But for the time being, these tests have only been carried out on animal cells.
The clinical trial on around 40 patients is about to start. Forty patients hospitalized and tested positive for Covid-19 will participate. The results should be available within a month.
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