Covid Long: a nicotine patch as the last hope

Chris A. Furthermore, contracted the COVVIR for the first time in the summer of 2021. In addition, He was then vaccinated, but contracted the virus on four times. In addition, Despite relatively light symptoms during his first infection, this 44 -year -old man still has consequences. Therefore, Unlike some people with long covidhe suffers less physical exhaustion than cognitive disorders. Furthermore, His memory and concentration are lacking.

This computer scientist from Eastern Switzerland can now only work 20% and lives mainly on his savings. For example, “Often, I don’t remember what I did the day before. Similarly, I have to look at my agenda, ”he says. However, “I feel completely next to my pumps, as if I had a white night covid long: nicotine patch last or if I was smashed.”

To date there is no effective treatment against long covid. However, In the absence of medical solutions, those affected turn to everything that could bring them a little relief.

“I have tried almost everything. Therefore, food supplements to stimulating substances, dementia drugs to the pressure oxygen chamber and blood filtration,” says Chris A. Consequently, This last method has certainly proven itself, but its cost, around 2000 francs by treatment, makes it inaccessible for regular use. Furthermore, Indeed, health insurance funds do not reimburse practically nothing. For example, “I spent around 60,000 francs in total.”

For the past two years, another promising approach has been gaining ground in the networks dedicated to COVID LONG. Chris A. also experienced it. A team of German researchers has obtained promising results with nicotine patches. A study published in January 2023, although it only carried out on four people, revealed clear improvements in a few days. Participants, all non-smokers, applied a weakly dosed patch daily and compared their health covid long: nicotine patch last to that which they presented before treatment.

According to their observations, symptoms such as exhaustion, shortness of breath and intolerance to effort have disappeared in six days. In case of loss of smell and taste, it took about two weeks to recover these senses. In February 2025, the researchers published another study on nicotine patches. This study reveals a subjective improvement in the state of health at almost three -quarters of the 231 people tested. an average increase of 20%.

This approach is based on previous research concerning the appearance of the long covid. These studies suggest that the coronavirus blocks, in some people, the fixing sites of the acetylcholine neurotransmitter. Therefore, the transmission of signals between nerve cells and the autonomous central nervous system no longer works properly. Nicotine seems to prevent the virus from fixing itself covid long: nicotine patch last on cellular receptors. The immune system can then better fight it.

This hypothesis was confirmed by the case of a 44 -year -old woman. who had suffered from Covid Long for three years. A medical imaging examination revealed an increase in free acetylcholine receptors in your brain after consumption of nicotine. In addition, his language disorders were clearly attenuated.

Covid long: nicotine patch last

Tobacco aggravates the evolution of COVID-19

This hypothesis is based on an observation: non-smokers seem overrepresented among people with Long Cavid. compared to the entire population. But it is by no means eligible to promote smoking as an effective means against COVVI-19. underlines the study manager, Marco Leitzke, chief of clinic in anesthesiology, intensive medicine and pain treatment at the Helios clinic in Leisnig, near Leipzig. “There cigarette smoke damages the covid long: nicotine patch last lungs and aggravates the evolution of the COVVI-19 and other respiratory diseases. ” In addition to nicotine, it contains more than 8000 substances harmful to health.

The body absorbs nicotine irregularly. While smoking a cigarette or a e-cigarettethe rate increases rapidly, providing a pleasant stimulating effect. A patch, on the other hand, releases the substance continuously, which explains the very low risk of dependence. Side effects can nevertheless occur: redness. itching, nausea, headache, acceleration of heart rate or sleep disorders in the event of night use. These effects often fade over time.

Start with small amounts of nicotine

For a first test. the specialist recommends a dosage much lower than the lowest available dose available, or 7.5 milligrams per day. The doctor advises not to cut the patches. which implies that part of the covid long: nicotine patch last surface containing the active ingredient must be covered. However, due to the diversity of clinical tables, the optimal dosage remains specific to everyone. It must be tested systematically.

At the start of treatment, the situation can worsen. If a sustainable improvement is manifested later, the dose should be gradually reducing. The people concerned share their experiences, especially in the groupe Facebook «The Nicotine Patch Test» recommended by the expert. Some welcome the success of treatment, others are disappointed.

It is still too early to draw scientifically founded conclusions, underlines Marco Leitzke. Researchers plan to continue their study by increasing the number of participants, with a double -blind protocol. The people tested are divided into two groups. One receives nicotine patchesthe other of the placebo patches without active substance. Neither patients with long covid nor the person covid long: nicotine patch last administering treatment knows who belongs to which group. Project financing is not yet assured.

Although this remedy is not yet scientifically validated, it remains accessible without a prescription and its price remains affordable. If you suffer from other pathologies or take medication, it is however recommended to consult your doctor before you start.

A doctor advises to try nicotine patches

Huldrych Günthard. infectiousologist at Zurich University Hospital, encourages people suffering from Covid Long to test nicotine patches. “In this form, nicotine has practically no side effects,” said the chief doctor. “Unfortunately, we have still not found a remedy against the long covid.” He observes a decrease in the number of people who ask for advice and come to consultation.

This could be explained by the net decline in the covid long: nicotine patch last number of new cases. Indeed. our immune systems are now better armed thanks to past infections and vaccination, which explains the improvement of the state of health of many people. It is also possible that a large part of the people concerned simply gave up.

For non-smokers, nicotine patches require an adaptation time

When Chris A. discovered this treatment on the Facebook group, he first believed in a joke. But a little over a year ago, he tried the experience. The first time he stuck a patch, he had a weird feeling, he says. Having never smoked, he was not used to the substance. “I felt tense and I became aggressive.” But over time, the side effects have largely disappeared. “I can speak again with more fluidity, without having to constantly seek my words.”

The covid long: nicotine patch last independent computer scientist also has easier to work with nicotine patch. Before, he sometimes had trouble sending an email. However, the drug has not really revolutionized its life. Some days he feels better and can go to the gym. “But then I crack again.”

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