Empirical pharmacotherapy of COVID-19

Abstract

Researchers are studying several types of drugs to treat the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 that has spread to over 200 countries, taking a massive human toll of nearly 2.6 lakh as of Wednesday morning. About 37 lakh positive cases have been identified, including almost 50,000 cases in India. Most drugs being worked upon are repurposed and are largely anti-viral drugs used previously to treat other conditions. For instance, Favipiravir, or Avigan was used to treat influenza in Japan. Likewise, Remdesivir was tested on Ebola. Another treatment, while not a drug, that has shown promise is plasma therapy. The method uses convalescent plasma which is extracted from the blood of recovered COVID-19 patients. This plasma contains antibodies that neutralize SARS-CoV-2.Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine have not been shown to be safe and effective for treating or preventing COVID-19. They are being studied in clinical trials for COVID-19, and temporary use during the COVID-19 pandemic for treatment of the virus in hospitalized patients Keywords: Empirical Pharmacotherapy, COVID-19, Remdesivir, Favipiravir, Chloroquine.