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. 2020 May 18;30(4):e2113. doi: 10.1002/rmv.2113

TABLE 2.

Major drugs in clinical development for treatment of COVID‐19

Drug Mechanism Dosage and mode of administration Side effects Clinical trial

Lopinavir/ritonavir

graphic file with name RMV-30-0-g007.jpg

Protease inhibitors, that work together to block the viral replication 400 mg/100 mg, 2 times/d (Oral)

  • Hypersensitivity reaction,

  • Pancreatitis,

  • Angioedema,

  • Toxic epidermal necrolysis,

  • AV block,

  • Renal failure

  • Hyperglycaemia,

  • Leukopenia,

  • Hypertriglyceridemia,

  • Neutropenia,

  • Hepatotoxicity etc.

 11 trials (for instance NCT04307693, 3/13/20)

Remdesivir

graphic file with name RMV-30-0-g006.jpg

Gets incorporated into viral RNA leading to RNA termination trouble and inhibition of viral replication. 200 mg once for first day, followed by 100 mg/d (Intravenous)

  • Elevated liver enzymes,

  • Nausea,

  • Rectal bleeding,

  • Vomiting etc.

 6 trials (eg, NCT04292899, 3/19/20)

Favipiravir

graphic file with name RMV-30-0-g001.jpg

RNA polymerase inhibitor 1600 mg twice for 1 day followed by 600 mg 2 times/d (Oral)

  • Neurological and psychiatric symptoms,

  • Anaphylaxis,

  • Hepatic dysfunction,

  • Acute kidney injury,

  • Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN),

  • Colitis haemorrhage etc.

Atleast three trials (eg, NCT04303299

3/12/2020)

Chloroquine

graphic file with name RMV-30-0-g002.jpg

Interferes with the cellular receptor ACE2 and also impairs the acidification of endosomes, thereby impeding the virus trafficking inside the cells

500 mg (300 mg for chloroquine) for 2 times/d

(Oral)

  • Anaphylaxis or anaphylactoid reaction,

  • Neuropsychiatric disorders,

  • Neuromuscular impairment,

  • Hepatitis thrombocytopenia,

  • Pancytopenia,

  • Neutropenia,

  • aplastic anaemia etc.

 At least ten trials (eg, NCT04303507, 3/11/20; NCT04261517, 2/14/20)

Ribavirin

graphic file with name RMV-30-0-g003.jpg

Nucleoside analog of ribofuranose that inhibits viral RNA synthesis 500 mg for 2‐3 times/d in combination with lopinavir/ritonavir or IFN‐α (Intravenous)

  • Cardiac arrest,

  • Pulmonary function deterioration,

  • Headache,

  • Fatigue,

  • Abdominal cramps,

  • Chronic obstructive lung disease,

  • Chest soreness,

  • Ventilator dependence,

  • Conjunctivitis etc.

 At least 5 trials (NCT04254874, 2/5/20; ChiCTR2000029308, 1/23/20)

Oseltamavir

graphic file with name RMV-30-0-g004.jpg

Neuraminidase inhibitor 12.5 mL of oral suspension or 75 mg capsule 2 times/d (Oral)

  • Vomiting,

  • Nausea,

  • Headache,

  • Mood or mental changes,

  • Skin rashes,

  • Pain etc.

 One trial (NCT04261270, 2/7/20)

Arbidol

graphic file with name RMV-30-0-g005.jpg

Blocks viral fusion 200 mg for 3 times/d (Oral)

  • Diarrhoea,

  • Nausea,

  • Dizziness,

  • Elevated serum transaminase

 Two trials (NCT04260594,2/7/20; NCT04286503, 2/27/20)