A Single Large Dose of Vitamin D Could be Used as a Means of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Prevention and Treatment

Drug Des Devel Ther. 2020 Aug 21;14:3429-3434. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S271754. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

There is no specific and effective medication for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and avaccine is not available in recent months. Here, we hypothesize that a single large dose of vitamin D (Vit D) could be an option for trial in COVID-19. Vit D deficiency or insufficiency is very common in the general population as well as in patients with COVID-19. It has been shown that low Vit D level is associated with viral infection, and Vit D supplementation is beneficial for people infected with viruses, such as HIV and hepatitis C virus. Although COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, the morbidity and mortality of this disease are driven by coagulopathy. Clinical studies have shown that Vit D can exert anticoagulant effects. Vit D, a lipid-soluble vitamin, can be administered as a draught. Vit D supplementation is safe and has rare toxic events. In addition, the cost of Vit D is fairly low. Based on these observations, we speculate that a single dose of 300,000 IU Vit D may have a role in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Keywords: coronavirus disease 2019; large dose; vitamin D.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
  • Betacoronavirus / drug effects*
  • Betacoronavirus / immunology
  • Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity
  • COVID-19
  • Chemoprevention*
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin D / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Vitamin D

Supplementary concepts

  • COVID-19 drug treatment