A comprehensive review of therapeutic options for COVID-19

Abstract

Abstract
Introduction: COVID-19 is a disease that is induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS). Its viral infection is spread swiftly around the world and causes many restrictions, health problems, and expensive treatment costs worldwide. Due to its high prevalence and mortality rate, there is a global challenge to find an effective therapeutic protocol for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. No one could disclaim the immediate need for a standardized protocol for COVID-19 treatment.
Methods: Aiming to prepare a comprehensive review of introducing appropriate remedial options for COVID-19, a wide range of investigation on relevant articles established in the English language published through different publications such as PubMed, Medline, Embase, Science Direct, Scopus, and COVID-Evidence . all researchers and clinicians should try to make more precise knowledge about the viral behavior and treatment of COVID-19 to find an effective vaccine to prevent and treatment of this virus. The main objective of the present study is to review and investigate the available evidence for achieving a more precise preventive and treatment protocol to deal with COVID-19.
Findings: many available drugs have been reviewed that include Azithromycin, Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r), Remdesivir, Corticosteroids, Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine sulfate, Immunoglobulin, Ivermectin, Ribavirin, Favipiravir, Interferon. On the other hand, it is recommended to conduct precise clinical trials on current antimicrobial and antiviral agents that are administered for a long time to find an expeditious and effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although disappointing, it should be noted that there is no effective drug regimen or vaccine against the novel coronavirus. In this regard, using other available antiviral drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 may be effective to some extent. In this study, by investigating some available antimicrobial medicines that may diminish COVID-19 infection, we are trying to introduce a general protocol for controlling this disease. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2022; 36(4):000-000]
Keywords: SARS, COVID-19, Pandemic, Antimicrobial drugs, Treatment protocol