Research Using Syrian Hamsters Reveals The Efficacy Of Ranitidine Gastritis For COVID-19

Photo illustration (Silje Roseneng / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Researchers at the University of Hong Kong said a drug popularly used to treat stomach ulcers, Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate (RBC) can fight COVID-19 in animals. They said this Monday, October 12.

Launching CNA , researchers have previously explored the metallodrugs that are on RBC. The result is that metallodrugs, which are metal-containing compounds, can effectively act as anti-viruses against COVID-19.

In the study, the researchers used Syrian hamsters to be tested. Then, they later discovered the fact that RDC was a powerful drug to treat COVID-19.

"RBC is able to reduce the development of the COVID-19 virus in the lungs of infected hamsters up to 10 times," said University of Hong Kong researcher Runming Wang.

"Our findings suggest that RBC is a potential anti-viral agent for COVID-19," he added.

The COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 1 million people since it first emerged in China last December. To that end, scientists around the world are starting to struggle to find a vaccine for COVID-19.

The rest, they also take advantage of drugs that are available to relieve symptoms of transmission or help the body fight COVID-19. The drugs that are said to be effective against COVID-19 include Remdesivir and dexamethasone.

Both have even been used by doctors in the US to fight President Donald Trump who is infected with COVID-19. Unfortunately, both drugs have drawbacks, especially Remdesivir because they are too expensive. Therefore, Hong Kong researchers hope that RBC can become the recommended drug against COVID-19.

"It has been used for decades so it is quite safe," concluded Wang.