Therapeutics for COVID-19 and Post COVID-19 Complications: An Update
January 2022
in “
Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
”
Studysummary This review highlights ongoing efforts in drug repurposing and development of new therapeutics against COVID-19, emphasizing the promise of these strategies in addressing the challenges posed by SARS-CoV-2 mutations and post-infection complications.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document from January 2022 provides an update on various therapeutics for COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 complications. It highlights the effectiveness of repurposed drugs and the development of new drug molecules and biologics specifically engineered against SARS-CoV-2. Several drugs including antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, and anti-inflammatory drugs are discussed, with some showing promising results in reducing viral load and improving lung CT scans in COVID-19 patients. However, due to the virus's continuous mutation, many approved vaccines are not fully effective against all variants. The document also discusses post-COVID-19 complications, with hair loss being the most common dermatologic complaint, reported by 20% of patients. Over 300 clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of various COVID-19 medications. The document concludes that there is a need for enhanced antiviral drugs for COVID-19 treatment, with only a few such medications approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA as of 2022.
