Challenges posed by anti-inflammatory drugs in COVID-19 treatment

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic is the major outbreak that has exterminated many lives for past years and still not subsided completely. A number of vaccinations are in trials to eradicate the COVID-19 virus. This study deals with the challenges posed by anti- inflammatory drugs in the treatment of COVID-19.NSAID'S can mask early symptoms such as fever,myalgia in COVID-19 infected patients and can be used as adjunct therapy in severe COVID-19 treatment as they have anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. The risk of infection was found to be declined in the patients who had prior aspirin exposure. Indomethacin must be used with caution as it exhibits coronary vasoconstriction effects in patients. Anakinra even at higher doses resulted quite safe in COVID-19, confirming its potential role in selected conditions like immune compromised patients with superinfection, contraindications to other anti-inflammatory drugs. Early management with tocilizumab prevents cytokine strom and mortality. Patients who received Hydroxychloroquine with azithromycin combination had frequent cardiac arrest. No reasons to pause NSAIDs and no evidence of mortality rate dissimilarity between ibuprofen and paracetamol in COVID-19. still paracetamol remains first line. WHO guidelines recommend to avoid corticosteroids in COVID-19 management.