Just Learned My Blood Pressure Med is Hypothesized to Have a Positive Impact on Corona Virus

Drugs.com ^ | 05/21/202 | self

[sonrise57]

Does Losartan block the receptor used by the Coronavirus? Medically reviewed by Carmen Fookes, BPharm Last updated on Mar 30, 2020.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Losartan is not a receptor, but it does block a chemical (angiotensin II), from binding to a receptor, type 1 angiotensin 2 (AT1), which lowers blood pressure.

Losartan does not block the virus causing COVID-19, called SARS-CoV-2, but it may reduce the activity of the renin-angiotensin system, which is overactive in people with high blood pressure, which may increase their risk of developing lung complications from COVID-19.

Some animal studies found losartan beneficial at reducing severe simulated lung injury in mice exposed to other viruses, such as SARS. Few human studies have been conducted.

For now, any beneficial effects of losartan are just a hypothesis (suggestion). It is not a good idea to institute any medical therapy based on an untested hypothesis since unexpected harms may outweigh any benefits.

For people already taking losartan or any other ARB, the advice from the medical community is to keep taking it unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

[SuperLuminal]

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