Nitazoxanide/azithromycin combination for COVID-19: A suggested new protocol for early management

Pharmacol Res. 2020 Jul:157:104874. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104874. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Abstract

Azithromycin has been shown to have a clinical efficacy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; ivermectin has also demonstrated a remarkable experimental efficacy with a potential to be used for Coronavirus disease 2019. Further, BCG vaccination is being considered for clinical trials aiming to test its potential for lowering COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. This article illustrates some structural and functional relationships that may gather these drugs and the author, basing on a combined pathophysiological and pharmacological approach, recommends the FDA-approved antidiarrhea drug; nitazoxanide, which has been previously suggested but unfortunately widely ignored, to be tested in combination with azithromycin for their potential activity against SARS CoV-2, soonest. The author also recommends testing their combined administration as early during the clinical course of COVID-19 as possible. Further, basing on the same represented concept, the author suggests more trials for interferons to be tested against SARS CoV-2, especially in severe and critical COVID-19 cases.

Keywords: Azithromycin; COVID-19; Interferons; Nitazoxanide; SARS CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Antiparasitic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Azithromycin / therapeutic use*
  • Betacoronavirus / drug effects
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods*
  • Humans
  • Nitro Compounds
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Thiazoles / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antiparasitic Agents
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Nitro Compounds
  • Thiazoles
  • Azithromycin
  • nitazoxanide