Proposing Vascepa (Icosapent Ethyl) as Supplemental Treatment Targeting the Underlying Causes of Persistent, Post-Viral SymptomsAssociated with COVID-19: A Case Series

Authors

  • Sonya Peregrim BS George Washington University, Department of Biology, Washington, DC, USA Author
  • Lianne Ryan AB College of the Holy Cross, Department of Chemistry, Worcester, MA, USA Author
  • Zuby Syed MD Georgetown University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA Author
  • Ivan Urits, MD Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Author
  • Omar Viswanath, MD University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA Author
  • Alan D Kaye, MD, PhD Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA, USA Author
  • Jonathan P. Eskander, MD, MBA Bon Secours Mercy, Department of Anesthesiology, Portsmouth, VA, USA Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JCIR/2022(1)106

Keywords:

Icosapent Ethyl, Persistent, COVID-19

Abstract

Current treatment options of post-viral COVID-19 symptoms lack conclusive evidence of success in infected individuals, leaving a desperate need for alternative treatments. In this study, we propose the use of icosapent ethyl (IPE), a pure esterized form of omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), for its current use as a cell membrane stabilizer, anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic agent. This case series consists of patients, all of which experienced persistent post-viral symptoms of COVID-19 weeks to months after incidence of infection. Each patient reported considerable improvement of various COVID-19 symptoms including post-exertional malaise, cognitive impairment, and dermatologic complaints, primarily hair loss and onycholysis. As a result, we believe each of these individual outcomes collectively provide a starting point in demonstrating the potential success of IPE in treating persistent COVID-19 symptoms brought on by systemic hyperinflammation and hypercoagulation. In doing so, we hope to spark additional research detailing clinical outcomes of IPE administration to treat COVID-19.

Author Biographies

  • Sonya Peregrim BS, George Washington University, Department of Biology, Washington, DC, USA

    George Washington University, Department of Biology, Washington, DC, USA

  • Lianne Ryan AB, College of the Holy Cross, Department of Chemistry, Worcester, MA, USA

    College of the Holy Cross, Department of Chemistry, Worcester, MA, USA

  • Zuby Syed MD, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

    Georgetown University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

  • Ivan Urits, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

  • Omar Viswanath, MD, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA

  • Alan D Kaye, MD, PhD, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA, USA

    Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA, USA

  • Jonathan P. Eskander, MD, MBA, Bon Secours Mercy, Department of Anesthesiology, Portsmouth, VA, USA

    Bon Secours Mercy, Department of Anesthesiology, Portsmouth, VA, USA 

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Published

2022-07-08

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 3 (2022): Volume 1 Issue 3

Section

Articles