Creatine Supplementation for Post-Viral Breathing Difficulties

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Solution Overview

Problem

There are no specific treatments available for the persistent symptoms of physical fatigue and breathing difficulties associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome, also known as Long-COVID, which can last for weeks or months after the initial infection, and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood, complicating effective treatment strategies.

Innovation Solution

Administration of creatine or its hydrate and/or salt, combined with pulmonary rehabilitation measures such as breathing exercises, to increase muscle and brain creatine levels, thereby improving recovery from physical fatigue and breathing difficulties in post-COVID patients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no specific treatment is applied for post-COVID symptoms, then treatment complexity is minimized, but patient recovery is delayed and symptoms persist

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesymptom resolutionVSAvoidtreatment strategy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting creatine supplementation dosages (e.g., 2-10g daily) and timing (starting within 1-3 months post-infection) to optimize recovery outcomes. This systematic parameter optimization transforms the vague need for 'treatment' into a concrete, evidence-based protocol that improves symptom resolution without overwhelming complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Creatine acts as an intermediary substance that bridges the gap between post-COVID pathology and functional recovery. By introducing creatine supplementation as a mediating agent, the patent provides a specific mechanism to address multiple symptoms (fatigue, breathing difficulties, exercise intolerance) without requiring complex multi-drug regimens or invasive procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If creatine supplementation is administered, then muscle and brain creatine levels increase, but potential side effects may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecreatine concentrationVSAvoidadverse effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls creatine dosage parameters (2-10g daily) and duration (1-6 months) to achieve therapeutic creatine accumulation in muscles and brain while minimizing adverse effects. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient creatine replenishment for symptom improvement without excessive supplementation that could cause kidney strain or other harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates monitoring of creatine levels and symptom improvement as feedback mechanisms to adjust supplementation protocols. By tracking both biochemical markers (creatine concentration) and clinical outcomes (symptom resolution), the system can optimize dosing to maximize benefit while minimizing harm, allowing real-time adaptation to individual patient responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If pulmonary rehabilitation measures are combined with creatine, then recovery effectiveness is enhanced, but treatment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecovery outcomeVSAvoidintervention protocol
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges creatine supplementation with pulmonary rehabilitation measures (breathing exercises, physical activity) into a unified recovery protocol. This combination leverages the complementary mechanisms of both interventions - creatine providing cellular energy support and rehabilitation providing functional conditioning - to achieve synergistic effects that improve breathing difficulties and exercise tolerance more effectively than either intervention alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The combined protocol serves multiple functions simultaneously: creatine supplementation addresses cellular energy deficits, pulmonary rehabilitation improves respiratory mechanics, and their combination also enhances overall exercise capacity and symptom management. This multi-functional approach increases recovery effectiveness without requiring separate specialized treatments for each symptom domain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Significantly enhances muscle and brain creatine concentrations, reducing physical fatigue, breathing difficulties, and increasing time to exhaustion in post-COVID patients, with creatine supplementation showing a synergistic effect when combined with physical and breathing exercises.

Implementation Method 1

It mainly serves as a metabolic intermediary of energy transfer by facilitating the recycling of ATP, the source of energy for use and storage at the cellular level

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectATP recycling:

Implementation Method 2

Significantly enhances muscle and brain creatine concentrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

increase muscle and brain creatine levels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccumulation: Accumulator (energy)

Data Source

PatentEP4522144B1Composition comprising creatine for use in the treatment of breathing difficulties
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 ALZCHEM TROSTBERG
  • EP4522144B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising creatine or physiologically acceptable derivatives and/or salts and or adducts thereof for use in the treatment of breathing difficulties, chest pain, body aches etc. after virus infection particularly in combination with breathing exercises. A further embodiment of the invention relates to the use of a composition comprising creatine or physiologically acceptable derivatives and/or salts and or adducts thereof as dietary supplement for preparation of a diet supporting the recovery from breathing difficulties, chest pain, body aches etc. by breathing exercises after a viral infection of the lungs or lower respiratory system.