COVID-19 treatment update: Here is a list of all drugs used and its implications

Since It has been more than two years since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. nearly a million people across globe have since lost their lives to the pandemic. Various drugs have been touted as a cure for COVID-19, but to date, there are no specific vaccines or medicines for COVID-19. Treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials.

We take a look at the drugs which are being used in for the COVID-19 treatment. None of them is proven treatments; most are still undergoing clinical trials or studies and have been approved for “emergency use” or as an “off-label” drug during the pandemic.

There are several drugs that have been used in the treatment of COVID-19, and their implications vary depending on the stage of the disease and the severity of symptoms. Here is a brief overview of some of the most commonly used drugs:

Remdesivir: This antiviral drug has been used to treat hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. It has been shown to reduce the length of hospital stays and improve recovery time in some patients.

Dexamethasone: This corticosteroid has been used to reduce inflammation in severely ill COVID-19 patients. It has been shown to reduce mortality rates in critically ill patients who require oxygen or mechanical ventilation.

Tocilizumab: This immunosuppressive drug is used to treat severe inflammation in COVID-19 patients. It has been shown to reduce mortality rates in hospitalized patients who require oxygen or mechanical ventilation.

Convalescent plasma: This treatment involves using plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients to treat those who are currently infected. It has been shown to be safe, but its efficacy is still under investigation.

Monoclonal antibodies: These are lab-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off the virus. They have been authorized for emergency use in certain high-risk patients with mild to moderate COVID-19.

Hydroxychloroquine: This antimalarial drug was initially touted as a potential treatment for COVID-19, but subsequent studies have not shown any benefit, and it is no longer recommended as a treatment for COVID-19.

It is important to note that the use of these drugs in COVID-19 treatment is still evolving, and new drugs and treatments are constantly being studied and evaluated. It is recommended that patients seek medical advice from their healthcare providers for the most up-to-date treatment options.