A group of scientists from around the world identified 21 known drugs to be effective against SARS-COV-2, the coronavirus that triggers the infection with COVID-19. These medications can be administered either as a preventive measure or in the initial and subsequent stages of COVID-19 infection.
Throughout the study, entitled “Discovery of SARS-COV-2 antiviral drugs by large-scale repurposing of compounds,” researchers analyzed one of the world’s largest set of existing drugs for their efficacy in preventing SARS-COV-2 replication.
Originally, during laboratory research more than 100 existing drugs were identified as having different levels of antiviral concentrations. Later, researchers declared 21 drugs safe to treat COVID-19 for human use. Among those 21, 4 drugs were found to boost Remdesivir, an existing standard-of-care COVID-19 medication.
According to Sumit Chanda, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute’s research group leader and professor, Remdesivir have proven to reduce the recovery time of COVID-19 infection, but it does not work equally for every Coronavirus patient.
The research team has however identified existing and readily available medications that can boost Remdesivir ‘s medical activity.
This is what the researchers found about the 21 drugs which can effectively stop the replication of SARS-COV-2:
- 13 Previously tested during clinical trials, they are healthy and successful in COVID-19 patients.
- 3 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved Remdesivir;
- 4 Proved to improve the efficacy of Remdesivir.
Of all 21 drugs, in the absence of the Coronavirus vaccine, the research team listed Clofazimine, Hanfangchin A, Apilimod, and ONO 5334 as the best options available for successful COVID-19 treatment.