Multiple experimental/compassionate drugs were and are being administered to patients with COVID-19.

During the first pandemic wave, patients with severe COVID-19 were more likely to receive more experimental/compassionate drugs.

Experimental/compassionate treatment was unrelated to survival but may have been associated with longer duration of hospital stay.

When multiple experimental/compassionate medications are administered to the same patient, the true effect of any single drug remains questionable even after adjustment for receipt of additional treatment.