Could Nitazoxanide be the cure for the novel coronavirus? Well, that's what Marcos Pontes said yesterday when he announced at a press conference held to discuss solutions for the coronavirus. However, we can't trust 100% that we already have a solution.
As we said earlier today, this announcement by the minister was not received favorably by the medical community in Brazil as we portray in this article, however, the Ministry of Health approved the collective test and has already announced the name of the medicine that can be found in pharmacies at affordable prices.
In the first contact, at a conference with the Brazilian press, the minister said that he would not mention the name of the drug to avoid a rush to buy a drug without being sure that it will work, as happened previously with chloroquine, which even caused the drug to run out in pharmacies.
About Nitazoxanide and Marcos Pontes' press conference
However, as we know, there's always a source close to someone willing to sell information. After the press conference, several journalists began spreading online stories about the drug nitazoxanide as the solution.
But after all, does it really work?
People, let's not go out and buy medication without being sure of its effectiveness. This medication is sold under the brand name Annita, or ivermectin. Some people have even incorrectly suggested dosage and how to take it.
As information disseminators, we need to alert our readers that there is currently no scientific study proving the use of nitazoxanide in the treatment of COVID-19, and even if the drug has demonstrated efficacy in in vitro tests, this does not mean that it is effective in humans.
No medication should be used without the advice of a doctor or pharmacist and in case of doubt, the population should seek guidance from these professionals.
However, for your information, understand how it works in our body:
It acts against protozoa by inhibiting an enzyme essential to the parasite's life. The same appears to occur with worms, although other mechanisms that are not yet fully understood may be involved. This is the description of the package insert
Therefore, the action on viruses occurs by inhibiting the synthesis of the viral structure, blocking the virus's ability to multiply. It is estimated that the drug's average duration of action is between two and four hours after administration.
What does Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta say?
The Minister of Health, who is more here than there, that is, it is not known whether he will stay or not, until the time of publishing this article, had not given an official statement as to whether this medicine will really work with this 94% of efficacy.
The drug, Nitazoxanide, is low-cost and widely distributed throughout the country. It will be kept confidential until the results of clinical trials are completed.
Source: UOL News