Can thymosin alpha-1 treat, cure or prevent COVID-19?
Can thymosin alpha-1 treat, cure or prevent COVID-19?
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Thymosin alpha-1 has not been shown to be safe or effective in preventing, treating, or curing COVID-19. The drug has been sold under the brand name Zadaxin, and was created to act as a lab-made version of a natural substance in the body that can stimulate some immune functions and responses in humans. However, despite many inaccurate claims by several wellness groups, thymosin alpha-1 has never been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for COVID-19, or any other condition. It has been granted "orphan drug designation" in order to research the drug as a potential treatment for some rare illnesses (though has yet to be approved for any). Thymosin alpha-1 has been approved in 30 countries outside the United States for treatment of chronic viral infections, including HIV and chronic hepatitis C, and it has some promising research occurring in other types of disease responses, but has not been designated as a COVID-19 treatment by the World Health Organization. Though there are currently some studies being conducted that research the impact of thymosin alpha-1 on COVID-19 patients, including clinical trials, there is not enough evidence to support using this drug as a treatment or prevention tool for the virus.
Thymosin alpha-1 has not been shown to be safe or effective in preventing, treating, or curing COVID-19. The drug has been sold under the brand name Zadaxin, and was created to act as a lab-made version of a natural substance in the body that can stimulate some immune functions and responses in humans. However, despite many inaccurate claims by several wellness groups, thymosin alpha-1 has never been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for COVID-19, or any other condition. It has been granted "orphan drug designation" in order to research the drug as a potential treatment for some rare illnesses (though has yet to be approved for any). Thymosin alpha-1 has been approved in 30 countries outside the United States for treatment of chronic viral infections, including HIV and chronic hepatitis C, and it has some promising research occurring in other types of disease responses, but has not been designated as a COVID-19 treatment by the World Health Organization. Though there are currently some studies being conducted that research the impact of thymosin alpha-1 on COVID-19 patients, including clinical trials, there is not enough evidence to support using this drug as a treatment or prevention tool for the virus.
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What our experts say
Thymosin alpha-1 has not been shown to be safe or effective in preventing, treating, or curing COVID-19. The drug has been sold under the brand name Zadaxin, and was created to act as a lab-made version of a natural substance in the body that can stimulate some immune functions and responses in humans.
However, despite many inaccurate claims by several wellness groups, thymosin alpha-1 has never been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for COVID-19, or any other condition. It has been granted "orphan drug designation" in order to research the drug as a potential treatment for some rare illnesses (though has yet to be approved for any). Thymosin alpha-1 has been approved in 30 countries outside the United States for treatment of chronic viral infections, including HIV and chronic hepatitis C, and it has some promising research occurring in other types of disease responses, but has not been designated as a COVID-19 treatment by the World Health Organization.
Though there are currently some studies being conducted that research the impact of thymosin alpha-1 on COVID-19 patients, including clinical trials, there is not enough evidence to support using this drug as a treatment or prevention tool for the virus.
Thymosin alpha-1 has not been shown to be safe or effective in preventing, treating, or curing COVID-19. The drug has been sold under the brand name Zadaxin, and was created to act as a lab-made version of a natural substance in the body that can stimulate some immune functions and responses in humans.
However, despite many inaccurate claims by several wellness groups, thymosin alpha-1 has never been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for COVID-19, or any other condition. It has been granted "orphan drug designation" in order to research the drug as a potential treatment for some rare illnesses (though has yet to be approved for any). Thymosin alpha-1 has been approved in 30 countries outside the United States for treatment of chronic viral infections, including HIV and chronic hepatitis C, and it has some promising research occurring in other types of disease responses, but has not been designated as a COVID-19 treatment by the World Health Organization.
Though there are currently some studies being conducted that research the impact of thymosin alpha-1 on COVID-19 patients, including clinical trials, there is not enough evidence to support using this drug as a treatment or prevention tool for the virus.
Context and background
Thymosin alpha-1 has recently been promoted by several wellness brands and individuals as a potential treatment or cure for COVID-19, though no evidence supports this drug as a therapy for the virus. Through social media outreach and other advertising methods, more than 30 medical practices and compounding pharmacies (a pharmacy that makes custom formulas of medications to fit the specific needs of a patient that cannot be addressed using traditional medication formulas) across the United States have made claims about this drug and its ability to treat the virus without proven support or evidence. As there is some medical research regarding the drug and its impacts on the immune system in relation to specific diseases, thymosin alpha-1 can be a confusing topic to research as a potential treatment for illnesses. Many claims have been made that the drug has been approved for use by the U.S. FDA, but these are not true. Though a drug may show promise in helping treat or support the treatment of one illness, it does not mean that it can treat others or that prior studies with some minor positive findings make it an option for physicians treating patients with COVID-19.
Thymosin alpha-1 has recently been promoted by several wellness brands and individuals as a potential treatment or cure for COVID-19, though no evidence supports this drug as a therapy for the virus. Through social media outreach and other advertising methods, more than 30 medical practices and compounding pharmacies (a pharmacy that makes custom formulas of medications to fit the specific needs of a patient that cannot be addressed using traditional medication formulas) across the United States have made claims about this drug and its ability to treat the virus without proven support or evidence. As there is some medical research regarding the drug and its impacts on the immune system in relation to specific diseases, thymosin alpha-1 can be a confusing topic to research as a potential treatment for illnesses. Many claims have been made that the drug has been approved for use by the U.S. FDA, but these are not true. Though a drug may show promise in helping treat or support the treatment of one illness, it does not mean that it can treat others or that prior studies with some minor positive findings make it an option for physicians treating patients with COVID-19.
Resources
- Thymosin Alpha 1 Reduces the Mortality of Severe Coronavirus 2019 by Restoration of Lymphocytopenia and Reversion of Exhausted T Cells (CID)
- Dysregulated adaptive immune response contributes to severe COVID-19 (Nature)
- Gender-Associated Difference following COVID-19 virus infection: Implications for Thymosin alpha-1 Therapy (II In Press)
- Web Of 'Wellness' Doctors Promote Injections Of Unproven Coronavirus Treatment (NPR)
- Off-label therapy targeting pathogenic inflammation in COVID-19 (Nature)
- Thymosin Alpha 1 Reduces the Mortality of Severe Coronavirus 2019 by Restoration of Lymphocytopenia and Reversion of Exhausted T Cells (CID)
- Dysregulated adaptive immune response contributes to severe COVID-19 (Nature)
- Gender-Associated Difference following COVID-19 virus infection: Implications for Thymosin alpha-1 Therapy (II In Press)
- Web Of 'Wellness' Doctors Promote Injections Of Unproven Coronavirus Treatment (NPR)
- Off-label therapy targeting pathogenic inflammation in COVID-19 (Nature)
