New Data Present a Different View of How Helpful ARB’s Are—or Aren’t—with COVID

Last spring, published research suggested angiotensin receptor blockers could lower the risk for ventilation and vasopressors in men with COVID-19. Just this week, however, an article released by the Journal of the American Medical Association noted that ARBs do not improve outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The trial included 787 patients at 17 hospitals in Australia and India and covered the period from May 2020 to November 2021. The vast majority of patients (n=778), based in India, received daily doses of either 40 mg telmisartan or placebo for 28 days. In the Australian group, the type and dose of ARB were selected by the treating physician, with the control group receiving only standard of care. The researchers found no meaningful difference in illness severity between the two groups. As results of the previous trial did receive some attention from mainstream and social media, consider sharing the results of this latest trial with patients who may request an ARB for protection against hospitalization with COVID.