Respiratory Infections Early-Stage Medication: Inhalation Formulation & Dosage of PVP Iodine

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic calls for a rethink of pharmaceutical options for treatment of viral respiratory infections. Respiratory infections start primarily at the surface epithelial cells. Being in direct contact with the ambient air, the respiratory system tissue surface is amenable to topical treatment approaches. We evaluate and define options of translating effective wound care treatments into the realm of respiratory infections treatment and preventions. The goal is a broad-range, safe and cheap anti-viral respiratory infections medication, which can be made globally available for early-stage home use. We propose a new mode of use of the topical antiseptic PVP Iodine (PVP-I). Unlike nasal sprays or oral gargle, we present a controlled inhalation protocol and calculated aerosol dosage, using ultrasonic mesh nebulizers, to disinfect in one treatment modality both the bronchial tree, upper respiratory nasal and throat tissue simultaneously. Molecular iodine is absorbed from the respiratory system within about 10 minutes. Yet, iodine effectively disinfects most viruses within 1 minute, including SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, the slower to absorb PVP-I complex provides a continuously eluting reservoir maintaining the the airways surface fluids iodine concentration for several hours. We provide: (i) Dosage calculation and delivery protocols; (ii) Safety analysis based on guidelines, animal trials and WHO review reports; (iii) Evaluation of published pilot clinical trials of SARS-CoV-2 with related nasal spray or oral gargle PVP-I treatments; (iv) outline potential use and required modification of existing off-the-shelf market products to render the proposed treatment immediately and cheaply available on a global scale – patent free.