Currently, over 12 million people have tested positive for coronavirus globally, with 3 million people in the USA alone. The numbers continue increasing each day, straining the health system in search of safe and effective treatment for the COVID-19. Scientists and researchers all over the world are racing against time, trying to find a possible cure or vaccine.
Also, hospitals and labs around the world are experimenting with different therapies for patients to find potential coronavirus treatment. In our previous article on hope for coronavirus treatment drugs, we covered the possible medications. These include Remdesivir, Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Lopinavir, Favipiravir, and Arbidol. However, scientists are introducing additional medicines and treatments for research which include the following:
Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone is a common steroid drug that treats various health conditions, such as allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases. Numerous clinical trials are studying this medication, to find out if it can be effective against COVID-19.
According to a particular press release, a total of 2,104 hospitalized COVID-19 patients reported lower death rates while using a daily dose of dexamethasone. The medication indicated most success rate for those who required extra oxygen or in ventilators. More research is still in progress, and soon people will know whether it will be useful or not.
Azithromycin
Azithromycin is an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections for conditions such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Research indicates it has some in vitro activity against viruses such as influenza but does not work against the COVID-19 that causes MERS.
However, one research group examined azithromycin action along with hydroxychloroquine drugs for coronavirus. The outcome showed that 93 percent of patients tested negative after eight days. The only doubt about the study is there was no control or placebo group. Therefore, it was not easy to know whether people recovered from COVID-19 on their own without these medications.
Also, there are concerns about the possible severe side effects when combining azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine.
Additional Covid-1Coronavirus Drugs Drugs under Research
Other drugs that show significant impacts on the body’s immune response and undergoing clinical trials for coronavirus include:
- Ivermectin
- Colcrys (colchicine)
- Tamiflu (oseltamivir)
- Tocilizumab (Actemra)
- Umifenovir (Arbidol) antiviral
- Galidesivir (antiviral)
- Calquence (acalabrutinib)
- Otezla (apremilast)
- Xeljanz (tofacitinib)
- Kineret (anakinra)
- Jakafi (ruxolitinib)
- Ilaris (canakinumab)
- Olumiant (baricitinib)
- Mavrilimumab
What Treatments has the FDA-approved for COVID-19?
Currently, the FDA has not approved any treatments for coronavirus, despite some drugs showing potential effectiveness. The only medication that has shown positive results in clinical trials with continuous research is remdesivir. However, the FDA is yet to approve it though they have granted an emergency for its authorized use and accessibility.
Moreover, the FDA recently formed a new emergency program known as (CTAP) Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program. Its goal is to speed up research for the development of coronavirus treatments.
At the moment, the only possible treatment that has indicated successive results include self-isolating patients with mild symptoms. Such measures include giving supportive care to hospitalized patients and any appropriate off-label medications to address symptoms under the supervision and guidelines of doctors.
Are there Drugs or Vaccines for Coronavirus Cure?
Additionally, for now, scientists haven’t found a full cure for COVID-19. Besides, they require more studies on the above list of coronavirus drugs to confirm possible treatments. After all, research on coronavirus is rapidly evolving. Soon, there will be positive reports about its cure.
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