An inhaled steroid will be investigated as a possible treatment for coronavirus as part of a new study.
Budesonide will form part of the UK's priority platform trial for Covid-19 treatments that can be taken at home.
Led by the University of Oxford, the Principle (Platform Randomised trial of interventions against Covid-19 In older people) trial is evaluating treatments that can help people aged over 50 recover more quickly from coronavirus and prevent the need for hospital admission.
Inhaled corticosteroid budesonide is commonly prescribed as part of the long-term management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with no serious side-effects associated with short-term use.