FACT BRIEF

Is oleandrin an approved treatment for COVID-19?

Saturday, November 28, 2020

By Meredith Hertan

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Oleandrin, a natural compound found in the toxic shrub nerium oleander, has not been proved effective against the coronavirus and has not been authorized by regulators. The compound has been extensively promoted by Phoenix Biotechnology and one of its board members, Mike Lindell. Lindell, a Minnesota businessman, is chief executive of MyPillow Inc. and a prominent supporter of President Trump.

Oleandrin has been previously studied as a possible cancer treatment and antiviral. A July 2020 study touted it as a possible prophylactic intervention and therapeutic for the coronavirus, but the paper has not yet been vetted by other scientists.

In September the Food and Drug Administration released a letter to Phoenix stating that oleandrin had not been not approved as a safe dietary supplement, and mentioning that it had been considered (but not approved) as a prescription drug.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Chemical & Engineering News: What is oleandrin, the compound touted as a possible COVID-19 treatment?

Phoenix Biotechnology: Home page

Michael J. Lindell: Personal journey; chairman of Trump campaign in Minnesota

bioRxiv: Prophylactic and therapeutic inhibition of in vitro SARS-CoV-2 replication by oleandrin

Regulations.gov: Oleandrin from Phoenix Biotechnology Inc.

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