A pair of over-the-counter compounds—diphenhydramine and lactoferrin—have been found in preliminary tests to inhibit the virus that causes COVID-19, University of Florida Health researchers have discovered. The findings by David A. Ostrov, Ph.D, an immunologist and associate professor in the UF College of Medicine’s department of pathology, immunology, and laboratory medicine and his colleagues, are published in the journal Pathogens.
What are these compounds?
An antihistamine used to treat allergy, hay fever, and the common cold, Diphenhydramine goes by well-known brand names such as Benadryl or Nytol. While Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional protein, part of the transferrin family, and is widely used in various secretious fluids such as milk, saliva, tears, and nasal secretions.
Dr. Ostrov went on the record, “We found out why certain drugs are active against the virus that causes COVID-19. Then, we found an antiviral combination that can be effective, economical, and has a long history of safety.”
Prospective Further Study
The findings, Ostrov said, are a first step in developing a formulation that could be used to accelerate COVID-19 recovery. It also raises the prospect of further study through an academic-corporate partnership for human clinical trials focused on COVID-19 prevention. Additional research into the compounds’ effectiveness for COVID-19 prevention is already underway in mouse models.
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Caution Against Self-Medicating
While the findings are encouraging, Ostrov cautions against self-medicating with either diphenhydramine or lactoferrin as a COVID-19 prevention or treatment. The type of lactoferrin used in the research differs slightly from the type that is commonly available to consumers, he noted. Lactoferrin is commonly used as a supplement to treat stomach and intestinal ulcers, among other uses. The message to any reader–don’t try this at home. This combination was investigational and not meant for any use at this stage.