Potential therapeutic agents against COVID-19: What we know so far

J Chin Med Assoc. 2020 Jun;83(6):534-536. doi: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000318.

Abstract

The emerging outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 continues to spread all over the world. Agents or vaccines of proven efficacy to treat or prevent human coronavirus infection are in urgent need and are being investigated vigorously worldwide. This review summarizes the current evidence of potential therapeutic agents, such as lopinavir/ritonavir, remdesivir, favipiravir, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, interferon, ribavirin, tocilizumab, and sarilumab. More clinical trials are being conducted for further confirmation of the efficacy and safety of these agents in treating COVID-19.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Monophosphate / analogs & derivatives
  • Adenosine Monophosphate / therapeutic use
  • Alanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Alanine / therapeutic use
  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine / therapeutic use
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Lopinavir / therapeutic use
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • Ritonavir / therapeutic use
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Interferon-alpha
  • lopinavir-ritonavir drug combination
  • Lopinavir
  • remdesivir
  • Adenosine Monophosphate
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Ritonavir
  • Alanine