Lindsay Dixon BSP RPh discusses a study explaining how over the counter antihistamines may be helpful in the treatment of long-COVID, otherwise known as PASC, a condition that has left millions of people worldwide with long lasting symptoms. With no current treatment protocols patients are left searching for answer often from social media support groups and anecdotal evidence they find online.

It is estimated that up to 30% of people who have had COVID-19 infection will take 3 months or longer to fully recover. Many have lingering symptoms for 6-12 months, and many simply do not recover. The symptoms are many: Fatigue, rashes, bruising, difficulty sleeping, memory loss, confusion, muscle and joint pain, and the list goes on.

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Long-COVID (Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 - PASC) is having a huge impact on the work force in places like the UK where at least 1 million people report having difficulty going back to work - this is definitely happening in Canada as well. 

There is currently no treatment protocol for PASC and patients are left looking for answers on social media groups and through word of mouth in many cases.

In addition, patients who had COVID-19 early on in 2020, may not have had access to testing and may not know why they are suffering from this post-viral illness. It has been reported that some physicians have often downplayed the symptoms of those with PASC, similar to the experience of patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) or Fibromyalgia.

I have heard anecdotal reports from some people who say that taking antihistamines has helped their symptoms. PASC presents in so many different ways for different people, it was eye-opening to see how in these case reports, published by the Journal of Nurse Practitioners, the addition of an anti-histamine addressed multiple symptoms almost immediately.

Though we cannot conclude precisely how antihistamines could be having this type of effect, it is quite clear that inflammation and an overactive immune system could be part of the culprit behind some of these symptoms. Could antihistamines, by blocking the H1 receptor and therefore blocking the release of histamine in the body be a way to "tone down" this immune response? Possibly.

Though far from being conclusive on whether antihistamines will be an effective treatment for PASC, these over the counter therapies are medications that have a fairly low incidence of side effects (especially 2nd generation antihistamines - I discuss this in the video), they are not very expensive, and do not interact with very many other medications.

You should always consult with your pharmacist or primary care provider before starting any new medication or supplement, as antihistamines are not for everyone, and can have serious implications if taken without the guidance of a healthcare professional.

In any event, these case reports are encouraging and with the incredible amount of research going on worldwide to discover the aetiology and pathophysiology of Long-COVID, those who suffer can be encouraged that the world is eagerly seeking a way to help patients recover from this debilitating condition and each day we get another step closer to helping these patients get back to a better normal.


00:00 How many people have Long-COVID worldwide?
01:17 Case studies from the Journal for Nurse Practitioners on PASC
02:08 What kinds of Antihistamines cause drowsiness
03:13 Facebook support group for LONG-COVID
03:49 Case Study #1
07:22 Case Study #2
08:38 Acrocyanosis with LONG-COVID
09:31 Previous evidence for Antihistamines in COVID-19 Infection
10:22 Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in multiple body tissues as a reason for widespread symptoms of LONG-COVID
10:59 Call for patient who are suffering to access care for Long-COVID for supportive care

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References:

Antihistamines for Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: https://www.npjournal.org/article/S15...

Quarter of UK employers cite long COVID as driving absences - survey: https://www.reuters.com/world/the-gre...

#COVID-19 #LongCovid #Antihistamines #COVID19treatments #PASC