Old and re-purposed drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. Issue 9 (1st September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jean, Shio-Shin; Hsueh, Po-Ren
• Is Part Of: Expert review of anti-infective therapy. Volume 18:Issue 9(2020)
• Page Start: 843
• Page End: 847
• Publication Date: 2020-09-01
• Subjects: Remdesivir -- COVID-19 -- SARS-COV-2 -- re-purposed -- favipiravir; Anti-infective agents -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.90461
• DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1771181
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1478-7210

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has developed since December 2019. It has caused a global pandemic with more than three hundred thousand case fatalities. However, apart from supportive care by respirators, no standard medical therapy is validated. Areas covered : This paper presents old drugs with potential in vitro efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. The in vitro database, adverse effects, and potential toxicities of these drugs are reviewed regarding their feasibility of clinical prescription for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. To obtain convincing recommendations, we referred to opinions from the US National Institute of Health regarding drugs repurposed for COVID-19 therapy. Expert opinion : Although strong evidence of well-designed randomized controlled studies regarding COVID-19 therapy is presently lacking, remdesivir, teicoplanin, hydroxychloroquine (not in combination with azithromycin), and ivermectin might be effective antiviral drugs and are deemed promising candidates for controlling SARS-CoV-2. In addition, tocilizumab might be considered as the supplementary treatment for COVID-19 patients with cytokine release syndrome. In future, clinical trials regarding a combination of potentially effective drugs against SARS-CoV-2 need to be conducted to establish the optimal regimen for the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19.