CHALLENGES REGARDING THE INTERACTION BETWEEN PSYCHOTROPICS AND COVID-19 CO-MEDICATION

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic is at the moment the main topic of interest regarding medical science and research. Responsible for the disease is a novel coronavirus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) accountable for over 118 million cases and a total of 2.61 million deaths worldwide (July 2020). Drug treatment for infected COVID-19 patients represents a difficult task, since there is no currently licensed specific antiviral for SARS-CoVs, the clinical approach of these patients remains the symptomatic one and also providing supportive care if needed. The clinical approach becomes more of a challenge especially if one has a co-existing psychiatric illness under psychotropic treatment. This concern is raised due to potential drug-to-drug interactions (DDIs) between antiviral agents and psychotropics, not only by common metabolic pathways regarding P450 cytocromial enzymes but also by pharmacological synergism regarding common adverse effects. Thus, we searched to identify studies published in PubMed medical database to support clinical practice in these situations and found that mostly all main psychotropics are implied in DDIs with the antivirals used to treat COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the clinical approach in treating COVID-19 patients with antiviral agents remains a challenge especially for those who have a comorbid psychiatric illness and are under treatment with psychotropics.