Table 2.

Potential long-term effects of drugs

Drug	Long-term effect
Brincidofovir/cidofovir	Prolonged use can cause severe nephrotoxicity in a monkey study [107].
DEX	Prolonged use can cause fatty liver and diabetes in mouse models [108], as well as microvesicular steatosis [109]. May induce long-term negative effects on neuromotor function and somatic development in male infants [110].
DS	Several sources indicate that DS can cause neuropathies in patients if used at high doses or for long periods. While the long period may not be an issue for COVID treatment, this is still something to consider. The symptoms do resolve after treatment is discontinued [111].
EVT	While uncommon, neuropathy is a potential side effect of EVT if given for long periods, at high dosages, or to patients with other risk factors for neuropathies [112].
EPO	Intravenous EPO improves long-term survival in primary pulmonary hypertension [113].
HQ/CQ	Increased risk of retinopathy was observed with high-dose and long-term (5+ years) use of HCQ [114]. These drugs interact with lysosome activities which may contribute to retinopathy and cardiotoxicity [115–117].
MP	Possible long-term bone metabolism effects in patients with MS [118].
RUX	A case study of a patient with MF-associated pulmonary hypertension (PH) developed left ventricular systolic dysfunction after long-term (5 years) treatment with RUX [119].
Statins	Long-term use of statins is associated with inhibiting the progression of aortic stenosis and aortic stiffness [120, 121].
Stavudine	Stavudine was found to reduce N-acetylaspartate (a marker of mitochondrial function) in the frontal lobe of HIV patients. Stavudine has a mitochondrial toxicity in the brain, which worsens the longer the drug is administered [122].
THD	Long-term treatment (>1 year) with THD of multiple myeloma patients has shown to have toxicity including neurotoxicity [123]. When used to treat dermatologic disorders (prurigo nodularis and aphthous stomatitis), long-term use led to peripheral neuropathy. Thus, only short-term use is recommended due to neurotoxic effects [124]. In lupus patients, THD neuropathies are potentially irreversible after discontinuing treatment [125].
AZT	Long-term treatment with AZT may induce mitochondrial toxicity in HIV patients [126]. They may also induce in HIV patients anemia [127], myalgia, muscle weakness, and increased serum creatine kinase levels [126]. Adverse neurological effects of AZT are rare but can be serious, including seizures, dose-reduction encephalopathy, and myopathy. The likelihood of these adverse effects occurring increases the longer the drug is administered [128]. Long-term monotherapy with AZT has been reported to induce fatal lactic acidosis and hepatotoxicity in case reports [129].