Budesonide ‘beneficial’ for risky patients with mild COVID-19
Although GPs can prescribe new oral treatments, they’re in short supply
Inhaled budesonide remains a useful option for treating symptoms of mild COVID-19 despite the advent of new oral antivirals, the RACGP’s quality care spokesman says.
The corticosteroid is the only drug suggested by the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce as a disease-modifying treatment for mild and moderate COVID-19 that’s not an oral antiviral or monoclonal antibody.
It’s recommended for patients who don’t require oxygen and who have one or more risk factors for disease progression.
Associate Professor Mark Morgan, chair of the RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care, says budesonide has some advantages over the two newly approved treatments.
