Top 5 Best Medicines for COVID-19: A Comprehensive Guide
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc across the globe. While several vaccines are developed to combat COVID-19, it’s paramount to know about the medications that can alleviate the symptoms. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the top five medicines that can effectively treat COVID-19.
1. Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid drug that reduces inflammation in the body. This drug is used to treat several conditions, such as sepsis, arthritis, and asthma. According to the RECOVERY trial, dexamethasone has shown significant reduction in mortality among severe COVID-19 patients. Administered orally or as an injection, dexamethasone is inexpensive and widely available globally. However, it should only be used under medical supervision as the drug has several side effects, including weight gain and insomnia.
2. Remdesivir
Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that is used to treat Ebola and other severe viral infections. It works by inhibiting the replication of the virus, thus preventing the spread of the disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), remdesivir has shown benefits among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Although Remdesivir has been approved for emergency use in several countries, it’s expensive and not widely available.
3. Tocilizumab
Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the receptors of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a substance that causes inflammation in the body. This drug is used to treat arthritis, giant cell arteritis, and systemic sclerosis. According to studies, Tocilizumab improves survival rates and reduces the need for mechanical ventilation among COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms. However, this drug has several side effects, including high blood pressure and liver damage.
4. Baricitinib
Baricitinib is a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It’s a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that blocks the signals responsible for inflammation in the body. Recently, it has been used as a treatment option alongside Remdesivir among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. According to preliminary studies, the combination of Remdesivir and Baricitinib reduces hospitalization and recovery time among COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms. However, the drug is expensive and has some side effects, including liver damage.
5. Favipiravir
Favipiravir is an antiviral drug that was developed to treat influenza in Japan. However, it has shown effectiveness against COVID-19 in clinical trials. Favipiravir works by selectively inhibiting the RNA polymerase of the virus, thus preventing the virus from multiplying. This drug is approved in several countries, including Russia, China, and India. However, its effectiveness and side effects on COVID-19 patients are still under study.
Conclusion
COVID-19 has impacted the world severely. While several vaccines are developed against COVID-19, medications are also crucial in treating the symptoms and reducing hospitalizations. The top five medications – Dexamethasone, Remdesivir, Tocilizumab, Baricitinib, and Favipiravir – have shown effectiveness in treating COVID-19 patients, depending on the severity of their symptoms. However, it’s important to note that these medications should only be used under medical supervision and their side effects should be closely monitored.
