A Study on drug utilization pattern of antifibrotic agents in patients with post-COVID-19 lung fibrosis

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary fibrosis after COVID-19 is a serious consequence that can result in lifelong lung damage or death. A cytokine storm induced by an abnormal immune mechanism may cause the onset and progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Early detection may assist to avoid or at least slow the progression of the disease. Anti-fibrotic agents are widely used drugs in post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis. There are some well-known clinical agents including Pirfenidone and Nintedanib that can be given to COVID-19 patients to prevent further progression of fibrosis and as prophylaxis as well. This study showed the use of antifibrotic therapy in SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is very officious in minimizing and avoiding fibrotic damage induced by inflammatory immune dysfunction. Evidently, pirfenidone has shown its pleiotropic effectivity to decrease the inflammation and oxidative reactive shock associated with fibrosis. Nintedanib binds to the targeted receptors' intracellular ATP pockets, inhibiting pro-fibrotic signaling and reducing fibroblast proliferation, migration, and differentiation, as well as secretion of extracellular matrix components. Copyright © 2023, Anka Publishers. All rights reserved.