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Overview of Antiviral Drug Therapy for COVID-19: Where Do We Stand?

Renata Esposito1, Davida Mirra1, Liberata Sportiello2,3

  • 1Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy.

Biomedicines
|November 11, 2022
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 vaccines are vital but not fully effective against variants. New therapeutic strategies, including repurposed drugs and natural products, are crucial for managing severe COVID-19 and overcoming antiviral resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Virology and Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • COVID-19 vaccines are essential but insufficient against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
  • Antiviral drug resistance necessitates novel therapeutic targets.
  • Severe COVID-19 cases highlight the ongoing challenge in disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence supporting approved drugs for COVID-19.
  • To examine clinical trials on repurposed drugs and new molecules for COVID-19 phenotypes.
  • To explore alternative therapeutic strategies like cocktail therapy and natural products.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing evidence on COVID-19 treatments.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data for drug repurposing and novel agents.
  • Evaluation of cocktail therapy, natural products, and metal-drug complexes for antiviral activity.

Main Results:

  • Vaccine efficacy is limited by SARS-CoV-2 variants.
  • Oral antivirals can develop resistance, underscoring the need for new targets.
  • Natural products and metal-drug treatments show promise in antiviral research.
  • Repurposed drugs and novel molecules are under investigation for various COVID-19 severities.

Conclusions:

  • A multifaceted approach combining vaccination, cocktail therapy, and novel therapeutics is needed.
  • Repurposing existing drugs and exploring natural products are vital strategies.
  • Continued research into new therapeutic targets is essential to combat the evolving SARS-CoV-2 threat.
Keywords:
COVID-19antiviral drugsapproved drugsimmune systemnatural agents

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