Use of drugs without proven effectiveness for the prevention and treatment of Covid-19 by patients in a clinical analysis laboratory

Abstract

At the end of 2019, the world witnessed the beginning of the calamity caused by the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Faced with so many deaths, a consequence of the lack of specific treatment for Covid-19, numerous scientists have started studies in order to find drugs to reduce the deaths caused by the onset of the disease. Faced with despair and fear of the disease, countless people began to practice self-medication and health professionals, because they were under pressure, joined the famous “push therapy” of possible medications that could be effective against the disease. Since the irrational use of medication is harmful to health, studies that point to this reality in the population become of great relevance, as they can help to demonstrate how reckless dissemination of information can bring serious complications, especially when involves the use of drugs without proper scientific support. Randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trials are the ones with the best methodological quality, despite their high cost. The present study aimed to investigate the proportion of patients who used drugs to treat or prevent Covid-19. Questionnaires were applied during some type of examination to detect the disease. The study included 52 patients with a mean age of 38 years, 73% male. The analysis of the results showed that approximately 62% of the people who went to the laboratory used some medication. Other studies associated with drugs in the treatment of Covid-19 emphasize the numerous consequences of using drugs without scientific relevance, due to their toxic effects in incorrect doses and inadequate dosage. It is still necessary to emphasize the danger that the association of medications can cause to the patient, such as kidney problems, intoxications, liver diseases, among other pathologies.