ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2021;38(2):105-115

Review article

UDC: 578.834:616-08
DOI: 10.5937/afmnai38-26326

A Comprehensive Review of COVID-19 Treatment

Zeinab Mohseni Afshar¹, Arefeh Babazadeh², Mostafa Javanian², Mohammad Barary³, Veneela Krishna Rekha Vasigala⁴, Soheil Ebrahimpour²

¹Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences,
Kermanshah, Iran
²Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute,
Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
³Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
⁴Rangaraya Medical College, NTR University of Health Sciences, Kakinada, India

SUMMARY
   

                      Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus strain that caused coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This novel coronavirus is an emerging global health threat. It caused approximately 140 million confirmed cases, with about 3 million deaths worldwide until April 18, 2021. Although there are two approved medications for this disease, remdesivir and dexamethasone, numerous studies are underway to investigate more therapeutic options. However, so far, most treatments have been supportive, and the clinical efficacy of the suggested drugs is still under consideration. The purpose of this review is to summarize the ongoing treatments, such as several antivirals, convalescent plasma transfusion, and adjunctive medications, with the intent of serving as a clinical guide for the physician and a resource for further evaluations in various clinical trials.

Key words: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, therapeutics, antiviral agents, COVID-19 serotherapy