Oct 2, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Trump's physician details president's COVID-19 treatment

President Trump

President Trump. Photo: Mandel Ngan / Getty Images

White House physician Sean Conley issued a statement Friday detailing the type of coronavirus test that President Trump took before receiving a positive result, as well as his current COVID-19 treatment.

Why it matters: Trump, who is reportedly experiencing "mild" symptoms, is at higher risk for a severe COVID-19 infection due to his age and body mass index.

What they're saying: "Following PCR-confirmation of the President's diagnosis, as a precautionary measure he received a single 8 gram dose of Regeneron's polyclonal antibody cocktail," Conley said.

  • "He completed the infusion without incident. In addition to the polyclonal antibodies, the President has been taking zinc, vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin and a daily aspirin."
  • Trump is "fatigued but in good spirits," Conley said, while the first lady has "a mild cough and headache."

Zoom in: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals announced earlier this week that its coronavirus antibody cocktail reduced viral load for patients enrolled in early and late-stage trials — which are ongoing.

  • The company gave Trump the cocktail — which is not yet approved by the FDA —through a compassionate use request, since the drug is still being evaluated for its safety and efficacy in tests with hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients, Regeneron said in a Friday press release.
  • Regeneron defines its compassionate use program as "intended for patients with serious or life-threatening conditions who do not have any viable or available treatment options, and are unable to participate in ongoing clinical trials."

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