Coronavirus in India: HIV medicines used for treating patient in Kerala

Kerala has reported a total of 30 Covid-19 positive cases. (File photo: PTI)

Kerala has reported a total of 30 Covid-19 positive cases. (File photo: PTI)

As India battles with the coronavirus outbreak in the country, doctors in Kerala have started using medicines meant for treating HIV patients on Covid-19 positive patients. Ritonavir, Lopinavir, medicines which are used in HIV treatment are now being used for a Covid-19 patient in Kalamassery Medical College, Ernakulam.

A treatment under the modified protocol began on Wednesday evening by giving these medicines to a British national who is being treated in the isolation ward ICU in the hospital. The treatment was started after taking consent from the patient.

“State medical board had earlier decided to use this medicine for pneumonia patients. The medicine was made available with the efforts of district collector S Suhas. After detailed discussions, the treatment protocol was also modified,” said a press release issued by the Ernakulam district administration.

Ritonavir and Lopinavir were used for Covid-19 treatment in China’s Wuhan as well. The treatment is being done after taking permission from Indian Council for Medical Research, doctors at the hospital said.

As on Thursday, Kerala has reported a total of 30 Covid-19 positive cases, of which 27 remain active including two foreign nationals, according to latest data of the health ministry. Three patients have been discharged/cured in the state. Three patients, including the British national, are being treated in Ernakulam district.

Doctors in Rajasthan had, in consultation with the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), for the first time in India, followed a unique line of treatment, combining Lopinavir/Ritonavir, drugs usually given as a second line of treatment for HIV, with drugs meant for curing Malaria and Swine Flu, to cure a patient, an Italian lady, of Coronavirus

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