TRENDS IN COVID-19 THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES: A NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW ARTICLE

Laith G. Shareef* and Sara Mustafa Abdulwahab

ABSTRACT

As of 25 April 2020, the World Health Organization reports a total of 2,828,772 cases of 2019-nCoV infection and 197,924 deaths. No definite therapeutic agents or vaccines for COVID-19 are existing. Several therapies, such as remdesivir, ribavirin, and favipiravir, are under investigation and clinical trial. The use of convalescent plasma was recommended as an empirical treatment during outbreaks of the Ebola virus. While the production of vaccines and biotherapies that primarily target SARS-CoV-2 is necessary, the origination of drugs and biological medication can last between months to years, meaning it incapable of benefiting currently infected patients. Accelerated response to this pandemic would be significantly helped by the opportunity to repurpose old medications as novel antiviral medications. This review pays particular attention to the potential of repurposing already existing compounds that may offer new chances for managing people infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Coronavirus; Treatments.