Repurposing Quaternary Ammonium Compounds as Potential Treatments for COVID-19

Pharm Res. 2020 May 25;37(6):104. doi: 10.1007/s11095-020-02842-8.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted an important role for drug repurposing. Quaternary ammonium compounds such as ammonium chloride, cetylpyridinium and miramistin represent widely accessible antiseptic molecules with well-known broad-spectrum antiviral activities and represent a repurposing opportunity as therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; ammonium chloride; antiseptic; cetylpyridinium chloride.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local / pharmacology*
  • Betacoronavirus / drug effects*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Drug Repositioning / methods*
  • Humans
  • Mouthwashes
  • Nasal Sprays
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / pharmacology*
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local
  • Mouthwashes
  • Nasal Sprays
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds