Prevention and Treatment of COVID‑19 and Influenza with Bromhexine and High Doses of Colchicine

Despite great progress in understanding the mechanism of action of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses, there is currently no effective prevention and treatment for the complications of influenza and COVID-19. The Transmembrane Protease Serine S1 subtype 2 (TMPRSS2) and NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome (NLRP3-I) are the main targets for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and influenza. The TMPRSS2 is responsible for the penetration of the SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses into the cell, while the hyperactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome can lead to a cytokine storm, multiorgan failure, and death. The correct strategy for preventing illness from COVID-19 and influenza is to block the TMPRSS2 preemptively. Preventing the cytokine storm in COVID-19 and influenza is only effective when inhibiting NLRP3-I. Long-term prophylaxis with the TMPRSS2 inhibitor bromhexine hydrochloride (BRH) proves sufficient to prevent SARS-CoV-2 and influenza infection largely. Treatment with high doses of colchicine, which is able to inhibit the NLRP3-I, leads to inhibition of the cytokine storm (CS) and significantly decreases mortality. Combined application of BRH and colchicine is a very effective, safe, and inexpensive method against the spread and complications of COVID-19 and influenza.