Aspirin for the early treatment of COVID-19

The FRONT LINE COVID-19 CRITICAL CARE ALLIANCE includes aspirin in its I-MASK+ protocol for the early treatment of COVID-19.

Why is aspirin included in the protocol?

Aspirin regulates inflammation, prevents clot formation, and has antiviral effects.

The anti-clotting effects of aspirin

Blood clots inside the blood vessels are found in severe COVID-19 and compromise blood flow and explain organ dysfunction and failure.

Thromboxane has a major role in clot formation. Aspirin prevents the production of thromboxanes by the irreversible inactivation of both cyclo-oxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2).[2]

Aspirin also reverses the constriction of the blood vessels and platelet clumping due to the thromboxanes. That action resumes normal blood flow and prevents clot formation.

The anti-inflammatory effects of Aspirin

The symptoms of severe COVID-19 like the cytokine storm are due to excess inflammation. Cytokine storms lead to the dreaded ARDS or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. In ARDS, blood oxygen levels drop to dangerously low levels. Inserting a tube down the throat to the lungs (intubation) and mechanical ventilation to increase the oxygen level is necessary to increase oxygen levels in ARDS.

Aspirin decreases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like the interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor. By doing so, the inflammatory response will be at the appropriate level to stimulate repair and recovery and prevent organ damage.[3]

Anti-viral effects of ASpirin

Aspirin has shown antiviral effects on the hepatitis C virus, Influenza A H1N1 virus, Shingles virus, and cytomegalovirus.[2]

Viruses “hijack” the cells’ own machinery like the nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) to replicate. That is one way that viruses can successfully multiply. In one study, an intravenous form of aspirin called LASAG was used to successfully prevent the propagation of the deadly MERS coronavirus and the more common coronavirus 229E in cells. [4]

Aspirin “rescues” the cells’ machinery and returns them to normal functions.

Aspirin has more beneficial effects for COVID-19 that are not included in this post to make it shorter. A more extensive discussion can be read in the references provided below.

How effective is aspirin for COVID-19?

The table below is from c19aspirin.com. It shows improved outcomes like death and ventilation when aspirin is used. It also shows the number of patients in the treatment and control group—the green squares and diamonds mean favorable outcomes with aspirin use.

The bottom line is that aspirin works best if taken early in the disease than later. Aspirin’s anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antithrombotic effects are utilized bests in the early symptomatic phase while the SARS-CoV-2 is replicating. See the image below.

Early symptoms start on Day 5 of the viral replication.

The dose of aspirin for early outpatient treatment is 325 mg daily unless contraindicated. Common contraindications are allergy and a history of gastrointestinal bleeding.

I-MASK Prevention and Early Treatment Protocol

The I-MASK+ Prevention and Early Outpatient Treatment protocol is partially reproduced below to show aspirin. The full protocol can be seen and downloaded from here, and I suggest you print them out, just in case.

Warning: Aspirin is not for children

Reye’s syndrome manifests as vomiting, personality changes, confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness. It is usually seen in children who had aspirin when they had a viral infection. Children do very well with COVID-19 without aspirin.

Call your child’s pediatrician if they have a fever.

In summary, aspirin and other medicines and nutritional supplements are useful and effective for the early treatment of COVID-19.

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