A new study conducted by an international team of researchers has found that 21 existing drugs in the world could treat coronavirus effectively. The research led by Sumit Chanda, Ph.D., professor at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute found that these drugs could stop the replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes.
Of these, 21 drugs were determined to be effective at concentrations that could be safely achieved in patients. Four of these compounds can be used synergistically with remdesivir, a standard drug used to treat coronavirus globally.
“Remdesivir has proven successful at shortening the recovery time for patients in the hospital, but the drug doesn’t work for everyone who receives it. That’s not good enough. As infection rates continue to rise in America and around the world, the urgency remains to find affordable, effective, and readily available drugs that can complement the use of remdesivir, as well as drugs that could be given prophylactically or at the first sign of infection on an outpatient basis,” said Chanda, in a recent statement.
Researchers revealed that this study report significantly improves the therapeutic options for treating coronavirus patients. Out of these drugs, two drugs are already approved by the FDA, which includes, astemizole (allergies), clofazimine (leprosy), and remdesivir has received Emergency Use Authorization from the agency (COVID-19).
“This study significantly expands the possible therapeutic options for COVID-19 patients, especially since many of the molecules already have clinical safety data in humans. This report provides the scientific community with a larger arsenal of potential weapons that may help bring the ongoing global pandemic to heel,” added Chanda.
As per the latest statistics, coronavirus has killed more than 6,50,000 people worldwide, and the total number of positive cases has already crossed 16.5 million.
