Asthma drug ‘reduces Covid-19 recovery time in those not admitted to hospital’

Experts suggest that medical practitioners around the world may wish to consider the results of the study when making treatment decisions.

The asthma drug budesonide reduces Covid-19 recovery time in those not admitted to hospital, research suggests. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA

An inhaled, widely available, asthma drug shortens recovery time in people with coronavirus who have not been admitted to hospital, a new study suggests.

Researchers say the discovery is a “significant milestone” for the pandemic, and that the drug, budesonide, is effective as a treatment at home and during the early stages of the illness.