Drug treatment of COVID-19 infection

Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2023 May 1;29(3):174-183. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000953. Epub 2023 Mar 14.

Abstract

Purpose of review: COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 6.6 million deaths globally. Tremendous efforts have been committed for the development of new and repurposed drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. Although different international and national guidelines share consensus in the management of COVID-19 disease with different levels of severity, new challenges have emerged, steering the need for ongoing research in advancing the clinical management of COVID-19.

Recent findings: This review focuses on recent data from randomized trials and postmarketing real-world evidence for the treatment of mild to moderate disease in the outpatient setting and patients hospitalized for COVID-19 with varying level of severity. Relevant data for treatment of the latest omicron sub-variants in people who received vaccination are presented. Challenges in special populations, including immunocompromised hosts, patients with renal failure and pregnant women, are also discussed.

Summary: Treatment of COVID-19 should be personalized according to host characteristics, degree of severity and available treatment options.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • COVID-19* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Pregnancy
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants