The 7p pill which can defeat sepsis

January 23, 2017

Study shows calcium channel blockers drugs halve the risk of dying from sepsis
Millions already take the tablets to lower blood pressure or prevent chest pain
Scientists believe the cheap and relatively safe pills could help slash the UK’s death toll from sepsis

Pat Hagan For The Mail On Sunday

Published:
19:36 EST, 21 January 2017

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Updated:
04:35 EST, 22 January 2017

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Blood pressure pills costing just 7p a day could be a major new weapon against sepsis – which kills 44,000 people a year in the UK.

New research shows the drugs, called calcium channel blockers, halve the risk of dying from sepsis, which kills more than one in three victims.

Millions already take the tablets, which include brands Amlostin, Adizem and Felotens, to lower blood pressure or prevent chest pain caused by angina. Now scientists believe the cheap and relatively safe pills could help slash the UK’s death toll from sepsis – higher than cancer of the breast, bowel and prostate combined.

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New research shows the drugs, called calcium channel blockers, halve the risk of dying from sepsis, which kills more than one in three victims (stock image)

Sepsis, also known as septicaemia or blood poisoning, is an illness caused when the body is overcome by infection, for example after a simple cut or bite. It can lead to multiple organ failure, and in the worst cases victims can die within hours.

Bafta-winning actor Jason Watkins, who stars as Solomon Coop in the BBC drama Taboo, lost his two-year-old daughter Maude to sepsis on New Year’s Day 2011.

Two separate studies suggest that the blood pressure pills could save many lives. Scientists at Amsterdam University examined the medical records of 1,060 patients admitted to two hospitals with sepsis to see what medication they were on. Those taking calcium channel blockers were twice as likely to have survived 30 days – the most dangerous period.

A study in the latest edition of the American Journal Of Therapeutics revealed that more than 2,000 patients with pneumonia – the most common cause of sepsis – were half as likely to develop the condition if they were already taking calcium channel blockers.

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It is not clear how the pills work against sepsis, but scientists think it may be a combination of improved blood flow, dampening the rush of inflammation that engulfs the body and keeping the immune system in order.

Researcher Dr Brendon Scicluna, of Amsterdam University, said: ‘Our data suggests long-term use of the drugs is associated with reduced mortality. It would be really interesting to evaluate patients not on them who were given the drugs as a treatment option.’

Dr Ron Daniels, from the UK Sepsis Trust, said: ‘These are interesting results. They show the drugs potentially have some benefit. The trouble is they can take a few weeks to start working so any protective effect is likely to be limited to patients already on them.’