According to rheumatologists and arthrologists, people, suffering from diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout, are at risk of exacerbation of the disease as a result of infection with a new COVID-19 infection.
The fact, What are the key cytokines for COVID-19?, causing severe pneumonia, similar to those, which drugs are usually targeted, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and gout. We are talking about glucocorticoids, rituximab and immunosuppressants. Taking these drugs is being reviewed by scientists, as an aggravating factor in the course of COVID-19, leading to exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis1 and gout.2 Even when gout patients are not taking immunosuppressants, concomitant diseases create high risks of severe outcomes, related to COVID-19.
Wherein, according to Western experts, the risk profile is more favorable in patients, taking more commonly used medications, such as hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate and finally, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NPVS).1
When choosing an NSAID for systemic use, you also need to make the right choice.: it is important that the drug for oral administration does not cause damage to the gastric mucosa, acted quickly and lastingly, was affordable and did not affect blood clotting, like some subclasses of NSAIDs. One of these drugs is Etorelex. (etoricoxib), produced by Pharmasyntez JSC. Etorelex has an anti-inflammatory effect already through 28 minutes and lasts for 24 hours. Results from an impressive number of clinical studies of etoricoxibs, demonstrates effectiveness and good tolerability in long-term treatment of patients with chronic rheumatic diseases. Important features of the drug, are ease of reception (1 times a day) and the possibility of combining it with low doses of aspirin, which is often required in elderly patients (when prescribed by a doctor).
In clinical studies, the drug did not cause inflammation of the gastric mucosa and did not affect platelet function (without the risk of thrombosis), which is very important in the context of COVID-19. In addition, Etorelex is affordable compared to other etoricoxibs (savings can reach up to 50%).
- Shocking Baimukhamedov, Tatiana Barskova, Marco Matucci-CerinicArthritis after SARSCoV-2 infectio. // TheLancet. Rheumatology. – TheLancet. Rheumatology. – Vol 3 May 2021.
- Nicola Dalbeth, Philip C Robinson Patients with gout: an under-recognised group at high risk of COVID-19. // TheLancet. Rheumatology. – Vol 3 May 2021.
