Therapeutic Repurposing of Antiviral Drugs Available for COVID-19 Therapy: A Mini Review

ABSTRACT

The impact of repurposing drugs that now in vitro inhibit significant chronic respiratory illness corona virus type 2 was indeed underestimated or ignored during the early phases of the COVID-19 virus. Recent clinical data, however, suggest that remdesivir and favipiravir may hasten to heal, but lopinavir/ritonavir had minimal impact on very ill patients. The interferon appears to be the primary impact of triple therapy with ribavirin, lopinavir and interferon-1b. The role of hydroxychloroquine, marketed as Plaquenil® or chloroquine, marketed as Aralen®, in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 is presently unknown due to the small sample size research. Anti-cytokine drugs may not benefit persons with mild disease or severe illness. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is commonly used for COVID-19 patients in China and has antiviral and immunomodulatory effects on SARS-CoV-2. This review outlines existing COVID-19 therapeutic options and advocates for clinical trials for children, persons with mild disease and those in the early stages of COVID-19. © 2022 Chemical Publishing Co.. All rights reserved.