‘Commonly used BP medications safe for Covid patients’

New York, Jan 8 : Medications to treat high blood pressure (BP) do not affect outcomes among patients hospitalised with Covid-19, researchers have claimed.
The study, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal, shows that there is no risk for patients continuing these medications while hospitalized for Covid-19.
“Our trial results importantly show that these medications can be safely continued for patients hospitalized with Covid-19,” said a researcher, Julio A. Chirinos, MD, PhD, Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania in the US.
“Observational studies were rapidly done, but randomized trials are important to set up a definitive answer regarding the potential impact of these commonly used blood pressure medications in the setting of Covid-19,” Chirinos added.
For the study, the investigators enrolled 152 participants across several countries.
As part of the REPLACE Covid trial, investigators examined whether ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) — two classes of medications to treat high blood pressure — could help mitigate complications or lead to more severe symptoms.