Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences (Dec 2022)

COVID-19: How Effective Are the Repurposed Drugs and Novel Agents in Treating the Infection?

  • Chow Suet-May,
  • Kuok Sin-Yee,
  • Lee Jia-Qing,
  • Goh Pey-Wen,
  • Harleen Kaur A/P Ranjit Singh,
  • Timothy Tan Zhi-Zheng,
  • Jhi-Biau Foo,
  • Sharina Hamzah,
  • Renukha Sellappans,
  • Yow Hui-Yin1comma2comma3*

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18502/sjms.v17i4.12550
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 4
pp. 498 – 538

Abstract

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Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has impacted the lives and wellbeing of many people. This globally widespread disease poses a significant public health concern that urges to discover an effective treatment. This review paper discusses the effectiveness of repurposed drugs used to treat COVID-19 and potential novel therapies for COVID-19. Among the various repurposed drugs, remdesivir is the only agent approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat COVID-19. On the other hand, several drugs have been listed in the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA to treat COVID-19, including casirivimab and imdevimab, baricitinib (in combination with remdesivir), bamlanivimab, tocilizumab, and IL-6 inhibitors. In addition, in vitro and clinical studies have suggested cepharanthine, sotrovimab, and XAV-19 as potential treatments to manage COVID-19. Due to inadequate understanding of COVID-19 and the rapid mutation of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 remains a threat to global public health, with vaccination considered the most effective method to decrease COVID-19 transmission currently. Nevertheless, with the intense efforts of clinical researchers globally, more promising treatments for COVID-19 will be established in the future.

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