Muristek
To the Editor A recent Viewpoint reviewed treatments for nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19. However, in addition to antiviral medications, it is important to mention that 2 studies published last year demonstrated the clinical utility of inhaled budesonide for outpatient treatment of COVID-19. In the STOIC trial of 146 adults with early COVID-19 who were randomized to receive inhaled high-dose budesonide vs usual care, budesonide reduced the primary outcome (urgent care visits, emergency department visits, or hospitalization) with a number needed to treat of 8 and shortened the time to clinical recovery by 1 day. In the PRINCIPLE trial of 4700 older patients with COVID-19 who were randomized to receive usual care vs inhaled high-dose budesonide vs other treatments, budesonide reduced the time to first self-reported recovery by almost 3 days compared with usual care. In the quest to develop, distribute, and utilize therapeutics for COVID-19, it important not to overlook the demonstrated benefit of a medication that is already in current use and is relatively easily accessible.
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