As we step into the third year of the pandemic, we learn from experience that the best way to stay safe is to follow COVID-appropriate behavior and get vaccinated against the virus. But if you are already infected, it is equally important to use the right kind of medicines and medicines to make a complete recovery. After the World Health Organization (WHO) approved two more drugs last week, we now have several treatments against the coronavirus.
Which drugs should be used for COVID treatment?
According to WHO, Baricitinib, Ruxolitinib, tofacitinib, Sotrovimab, Casirivimab-imdevimab, Tocilizumab or sarilumab can be used for COVID treatment.
Baricitinib, Tocilizumab or sarilumab and systemic corticosteroids are highly recommended for their treatment, but Ruxolitinib and tofacitinib, Sotrovimab, Casirivimab-imdevimab may be recommended either as an alternative or only in certain circumstances. These drugs have been effective in reducing mortality, hospitalization and ventilation.
What not to use?
Meanwhile, the use of Ivermectin, Hydroxychloroquine, Lopinavir/ritonavir and Remdesivir is not recommended against COVID because of the lack of evidence they help reduce mortality or hospitalization rates. However, some of them have been recommended for clinical testing.
What medicine can be given to children?
The use of casirivimab and imdevimab has been recommended for the treatment of COVID in children. “Fortunately, very few children become seriously ill with COVID-19. For those who do and who are seronegative, it is possible that they may benefit from casirivimab and imdevimab,” WHO says. Symptoms such as very severe chest wall pain, grunting, central cyanosis have been identified as severe symptoms in children.
The United Nations Health Agency also recommends giving tocilizumab to children. “This is especially true given that sarilumab is used safely in children for other indications including polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, systemic onset of juvenile chronic arthritis, and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell induced cytokine release syndrome. Sarilumab in children Therefore, if an IL-6 receptor blocker is used in this population, tocilizumab is preferred.”
Vaccination is still the best weapon against COVID!
Vaccination is still the best weapon to fight the virus. “Vaccination is having a significant impact on case numbers and hospitalizations in many high-income countries, but limitations in global access to vaccines mean that many populations remain vulnerable,” the WHO said. “Even in vaccinated individuals, there remains uncertainty about the duration of safety and efficacy of current vaccines – and the efficacy of existing treatments for COVID-19 – against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants,” it adds.
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