COVID-19 drugs and drug repositioning

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by SARS-CoV-2. Drug repositioning is a propitious field in the development and discovery of therapeutic agents that distinguishes new therapeutic options for existing drugs. There are repositioned drugs in COVID-19 treatment. Aim: We aimed to explore repositioned drugs for COVID-19 pharmacotherapy. We further classify the drugs according to ATC-DDD pharmacological category. Materials and Methods: Drugs are retrieved from the NIH guideline and national guideline. NIH and national guidelines are compared for treatment approaches. Result and Discussion: Remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir-ritonavir, favipiravir, tocilizumab and interferon regimens are found to be repurposed in clinical guidelines. Hydroxychloroquine is in P01BA group, lopinavir-ritonavir is in J05AX group, interferons are in L03AB group, and favipiravir is in J05AX group. A recent study obtained 21 preexisting drugs which are effectual at blocking SARS-CoV-2 viral replication. Two of them are already FDA approved which are astemizole and clofazimine. 13 of them have been clinically tested and have proved the e ectiveness against SARS-CoV-2, 4 of them have shown that they work synergistically with remdesivir. Remdesivir and corticosteroids are currently recommended by NIH to the hospitalized patients with COVID-19 for their treatment.