Table 2.

Mechanism of action and metabolic effects of medications used to treat coronavirus disease 2019

Name of medication	Mechanism of action	Metabolic effects
Chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine	Inhibit SARS‐CoV‐2 entry and viral replication	Improves glycemic control and may even cause hypoglycemia May be associated with increased risk of arrhythmias
Lopinavir–ritonavir	Inhibit 3‐chymotrypsin‐like protease in viral RNA processing with antiviral activity against SARS‐CoV‐2	Increases triglyceride synthesis leading to hypertriglyceridemia Inhibits glucose uptake, which may result in hyperglycemia
IL‐6 receptor antagonist	Interferes with IL‐6 signaling and attenuates “cytokine storm”	Improves hepatic insulin sensitivity May worsen skeletal muscle insulin resistance
Type 1 interferon	Interferes with viral replication Minimizes inflammation	Thyroid dysfunction Rarely associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Remdesivir	Inhibits viral RNA polymerase	May cause hepatotoxicity

IL‐6, interleukin‐6; RNA, ribonucleic acid; SARS‐CoV‐2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2.