From the Guidelines
Nicotine gum is not recommended for treating COVID-19. There is no reliable scientific evidence supporting the use of nicotine gum as an effective treatment for COVID-19 infection, as stated in the study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine 1. While some early hypotheses suggested nicotine might affect ACE2 receptors (which the virus uses to enter cells), these theories have not translated into proven clinical treatments. The standard care for COVID-19 includes rest, hydration, fever reducers like acetaminophen, and in more severe cases, prescribed antivirals like Paxlovid or remdesivir for eligible patients.
Using nicotine products without medical guidance could potentially worsen respiratory symptoms and cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19. Additionally, nicotine is addictive and introduces health risks of its own. If you're experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, contact a healthcare provider for appropriate testing and treatment recommendations based on your specific situation, medical history, and symptom severity. Other studies, such as those published in European Respiratory Review 1, Military Medical Research 1, and Leukemia 1, do not provide evidence to support the use of nicotine gum for COVID-19 treatment, and instead focus on other treatments such as corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, remdesivir, and anti-interleukin (IL)-6 monoclonal antibodies.
Some key points to consider when treating COVID-19 include:
- The use of dexamethasone during the inflammatory phase of the disease, as recommended in the study published in Leukemia 1
- The potential benefits and risks of using immunosuppressant drugs, such as anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibodies, in patients with COVID-19, as discussed in the study published in European Respiratory Review 1
- The importance of individualized treatment recommendations based on a patient's specific situation, medical history, and symptom severity, as emphasized in the study published in Military Medical Research 1.
Overall, the current evidence does not support the use of nicotine gum as a treatment for COVID-19, and patients should instead follow established treatment guidelines and consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
From the Research
Nicotine Gum as a Potential Treatment for Covid
- There is limited research directly exploring the use of nicotine gum to treat Covid-19. However, studies have investigated the potential therapeutic role of nicotine in Covid-19 pathology 2, 3, 4.
- Nicotine, through its interaction with the nicotinic cholinergic system, may have potential benefits in Covid-19 treatment, including mood regulation, anti-inflammatory effects, and interference with SARS-CoV-2 entry and/or replication 2.
- A study found that nicotine could restore the impaired function of the nicotine cholinergic system and possibly mitigate the cytokine storm associated with Covid-19 3.
- Research on smoking status and Covid-19 outcomes suggests that former smokers are at higher risk for severe outcomes, while vaccination is associated with better hospital outcomes, especially for current and former smokers 4.
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) during Covid-19 hospitalization may reduce mortality for current smokers, indicating a potential beneficial effect of nicotine on Covid-19 outcomes 4.
Available Treatments for Covid-19
- Current treatments for Covid-19 include antivirals such as nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, molnupiravir, and remdesivir, which have shown varying degrees of efficacy in reducing hospitalization and death rates 5, 6.
- A study comparing nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and remdesivir found that both antivirals reduced the odds of 28-day all-cause hospitalization or death in high-risk Covid-19 outpatients 6.
- Another study found that nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was associated with a higher probability of having a negative test within 10 days from the first positive test compared to remdesivir 5.