Recent progress in the repurposing of drugs/molecules for the management of COVID-19

Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2021 Jul;19(7):889-897. doi: 10.1080/14787210.2021.1860020. Epub 2020 Dec 10.

Abstract

Introduction: In the current scenario, COVID-19 is a clinical and public health problem globally. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains the causative agent, emerged in China and continuously spreading across the globe. Until now, no efficient therapeutics have been approved, which combat COVID-19. FDA approved broad-spectrum drugs/molecules could be repurposed against the COVID-19 and are under clinical trials, if the outcome of these trials proves positive, it could be used to manage COVID-19 pandemic.Areas covered: This article reviews the FDA approved drugs/molecules which could be repurposed in the combination or single to combat the COVID-19.Expert opinion: In this focused review, we suggested the repurposing of the pathogen-centric, host-centric, dual sword (act as pathogen-centric as well as host-centric), and the combinatorial (pathogen and host-centric) drugs against COVID-19 patients. These drugs singly or in combination could be effective for the management of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; host-centric; pathogen-centric; repurposing of drugs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Drug Approval
  • Drug Repositioning*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • United States
  • United States Food and Drug Administration

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents