Table 3.
The summary of available drugs for the treatment of moderate-to-severe COVID-19.
| Drugs | Possible Mechanisms | Indications for the Treatment of COVID-19 | Routes of Administration | Recommended Dosage | Related Adverse Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remdesivir | Nucleotide analogue; inhibit viral nucleotide synthesis to stop viral replication. | Approved by the US FDA in hospitalized patients aged ≥12 years and weighing ≥40 kg; granted an EUA by the US FDA in hospitalized patients aged <12 years and weighing ≥3.5 kg. | Intravenous. | A single loading dose of 200 mg followed by once-daily maintenance doses of 100 mg for 5 to 10 days or until hospital discharge. | Alterations in liver function studies, increased serum levels of creatinine, atrioventricular block, and anaphylaxis. |
| Baricitinib | JAK inhibitor; blocks JAK-STAT signaling pathway and inflammatory response. | Granted an EUA by the US FDA in combination with remdesivir in hospitalized patients aged ≥2 years requiring supplemental oxygen, invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. | Oral. | 4 mg in patients aged over 9 years and 2 mg aged under 9 years once daily for 14 days or until hospital discharge. | Thromboembolism, secondary infections, and hypersensitivity reaction. |
| Tocilizumab | IL-6 receptor antagonist; inhibit IL-6 signaling pathway. | Granted an EUA by the US FDA in hospitalized patients aged ≥2 years receiving systemic corticosteroids and requiring supplemental oxygen, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. | Intravenous. | First dose: a single loading dose of 8 mg/kg in patients over 30 kg, and 12 mg/kg in patients under 30 kg (max. 800 mg). Second dose: another single loading dose at least 8 h later if not improved. |
Alteration in liver function studies, neutropenia, secondary infections, and allergic reactions. |
| Sarilumab | IL-6 receptor antagonist; inhibit IL-6 signaling pathway. | Under investigational use. | Subcutaneous or intravenous. | A single loading dose of 200 mg subcutaneously or 200 to 800 mg intravenously. | Alteration in liver function studies, neutropenia, secondary infection, and allergic reaction. |
Abbreviations: COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; EUA, Emergency Use Authorization; IL-6, Interleukin-6; JAK, Janus kinase; STAT, signal transducer and activator of transcription; US FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration.