An Overview of The Medications Used to Treat Covid-19

Since the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers, doctors, and scientists have found more and more potential treatments for the novel coronavirus. So, let us take a look at the drugs and treatment methods that are being used today to treat this disease, as well as their effectiveness.

However, for those who have not tested positive for the disease, their biggest weapon against the disease is the COVID-19 vaccine.

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What are the treatments used for COVID-19?

A number of drugs and treatments are currently being used in the treatment of COVID-19. Here is an overview of what these are, when they are used, how they are used, at what stage they are used, and their general effectiveness.

DISCLAIMER: The details provided in this article are for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from a registered medical professional.

Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is a commonly used steroid medication. It is used to ease symptoms and relieve inflammation in the lungs in patients with severe COVID-19 complications. This includes those needing oxygen, ventilation, or respiratory support. The drug does this by reducing the body’s immune reaction.

The use of steroids must be carefully monitored and only administered (either via injection or orally) by medical professionals.

Possible side effects include: reduced immunity, insomnia, increased appetite, weakness, increased blood sugar levels, headaches, and mood swings.

Tocilizumab

Tocilizumab is a drug that has been used to treat autoimmune conditions. It works by blocking a specific protein (known as Interleukin-6) that can cause an inflammation to become very severe.

It is used (often in combination with dexamethasone) for the treatment of severe or critical COVID-19 patients who require supplemental oxygen or ventilation to reduce inflammation, and its use can reduce the progression from oxygen to ventilation.

Possible side effects include: sore throat, runny nose, headache, dizziness, stomach cramps.

Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants, such as heparin, are given to thin the blood and prevent clots. It is used in some COVID-19 patients with severe illness who show symptoms of blood clotting or who are known to have a high risk of clots occurring.

Possible side effects include: excessive bleeding during menstruation, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or spots of blood in urine and faeces.

Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen therapy is used to help patients who have trouble breathing and therefore can’t get enough oxygen naturally. Their oxygen levels are checked using devices like a pulse oximeter, and if oxygen saturation (SpO2) falls below 92%, supplemental oxygen can be delivered using a number of methods. These include oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, or mechanical ventilators.

Since one of the effects of COVID-19 is respiratory and lung problems, external oxygen support is used as a temporary measure in moderate to severe cases until the patient is able to fight off the infection and breathe on their own again.

Possible risks include: getting too much oxygen (known as oxygen toxicity) or too little (leading to hypoxia), lung damage due to increased oxygen pressure, increased risk of infections, vocal cord issues.

Remdesivir

Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that was created to fight Ebola. It does this by getting into the RNA of the virus and preventing it from making any copies.

It is sometimes used in patients with mild to serious COVID-19 infections to stop the virus from being able to replicate inside the body, and might be able to shorten the recovery time. However, some trials and reviews found that the drug has no significant effect on patient mortality, recovery time, or improvement. While the ICMR notes that it is an experimental drug to be used only in select cases, the WHO has issued a conditional recommendation against the use of remdesivir due to lack of evidence.

Possible side effects include: low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sweating and shivering, low potassium, and low red-blood-cell count.

Convalescent Plasma Therapy

Convalescent plasma therapy is a form of treatment that uses blood plasma from people who've recovered from an illness or infection to help others recover. Their plasma might have antibodies that can help fight off the viruses or pathogens, helping speed up recovery and ease symptoms.

Plasma therapy was initially recommended for treatment of Covid-19 patients, as it was seen to shorten the hospitalization time when used within the first few days that patients showed symptoms.

However, healthcare experts noted that plasma therapy was not effective in reducing the progression to severe disease or mortality. They also found indications that it could lead to new mutant variants or strains of the virus. The ICMR has dropped the use of convalescent plasma from their recommended treatment guidelines for COVID-19.

Possible risks include: allergic reactions, transfusion-associated circulatory overload, transfusion-associated acute lung injury, immune-related tissue damage.

How is COVID-19 treated?

How COVID-19 is treated would vary from patient to patient. In general, it depends on the severity of their symptoms. In case you don’t remember, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and breathing problems.

At-home Coronavirus treatment (for mild and asymptomatic patients)

If you test positive for COVID-19, and you face either mild symptoms (such as cough, low fever, fatigue, body ache, and loss of taste or smell), or are asymptomatic (meaning you cannot feel any symptoms at all), it is possible for you to recover at home. However, you still need to be in regular contact with your doctor at all times. In such a case, you should:

Talk to your doctor about how long you need to isolate yourself.
Stay at home, and do not go to work, school, or any public spaces.
Remain in an isolated area of your home (in a separate bedroom and bathroom if possible)to avoid infecting other people.
Avoid sharing dishes, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with others.
Wear a mask when you come into contact with members of your household.
Make sure to clean and disinfect any surfaces you touch in common areas.
Frequently wash your hands and follow respiratory etiquette.
Rest and drink a lot of fluids.
Check your temperature and oxygen levels (using a pulse oximeter) daily.
Ask your doctor if any medicines or treatments may help, like paracetamol to lower your fever or portable oxygen to help ease breathing.
Monitor your symptoms. If they get worse, contact your doctor immediately (but do not go to their clinic or hospital without calling, as they would need to take steps to ensure they are protected).
If you have been asymptomatic, you can stop isolating around 10 days after you tested positive, or if you have had mild symptoms, you can stop 2-3 days after your COVID-19 symptoms stopped. *

Caregivers also need to wear triple layer masks when in contact with the patient, follow strict hand hygiene, and avoid direct contact with any respiratory secretions of the patient.

*PLEASE NOTE: Always contact your doctor before deciding to stop isolating.

In-hospital Coronavirus treatment (for patients with severe symptoms)

If you experience more severe symptoms (such as trouble breathing, chest pain, high fever, confusion, severe drowsiness, or a blue tint to the lips or face) you should seek medical attention at a hospital straight away.

Once at the hospital, your treatment protocol will be decided by the doctors and healthcare providers, but it might include:

Monitoring your oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter, getting a chest X-ray or CT scan, and listening to your lungs for signs of further serious problems.
Based on these tests, you may be given supplemental oxygen. In very serious cases, you might need to be connected to a ventilator that can help do the work of breathing for you.
During this process, doctors may give you fluids through an IV tube, to prevent dehydration, as well as some of the medications mentioned above.

The main goal is to help your body fight off the infection, and for your lungs to heal enough for you to breathe normally. Once this has been achieved, you might be able to complete your recovery at home.

Remember that these are just the major drugs and treatments used in COVID-19 treatment. Of course, there are numerous other medications and methods used, such as the steroid budesonide, paracetamol which is used to alleviate fever and body pain, or favipiravir, an antiviral drug similar to remdesivir.

Once again, note that the information in this article is purely for educational purposes and cannot be a substitute for advice from a doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are all the symptoms of COVID-19?

Normal symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, dry cough, joint aches and pains, lethargy and weakness, loss of smell or taste, and a sore throat.

However, with the current second wave and new variants, new symptoms of COVID-19 have been observed. They include:

Fatigue
Gastrointestinal tract infections, vomiting, and abdominal pain
Diarrhoea
Eye irritation or conjunctivitis
Hearing loss
Dry mouth and dry tongue
Headaches
Skin rashes on hands and feet
Bluish discolouration of fingers and toes, known as cyanosis
Bleeding from the nose and throat while coughing, especially in more serious cases.

If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is recommended to isolate yourself. Then, immediately consult a doctor and get tested for COVID-19.

How do you know if your COVID symptoms are getting worse?

If you experience any of the following symptoms:

Trouble breathing
Oxygen saturation levels below 92%
Chest pain
High fever
Confusion
Severe drowsiness
A blue tint to the lips or face

you need to get medical care right away.

Are antibiotics used to treat COVID-19?

COVID-19 is caused by a virus and NOT by bacteria. Since antibiotics treat bacterial infections, they do not work against viruses.

However, in some cases, COVID-19 doctors may prescribe antibiotics (like Doxycycline, Azithromycin, or Amoxicillin) in case a patient develops a bacterial infection as a complication. It is also important to note that indiscriminate use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance.

Can vitamin supplements help fight COVID-19?

Vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and other supplements can all help to improve a healthy immune system. However, studies have shown that they have no benefit for people with mild to severe COVID-19.

Additionally, unless you have a diagnosed nutritional deficiency or have been prescribed these supplements, it is best to avoid their indiscriminate use. Overuse can cause side effects such as allergic reactions, diarrhea, stomach upsets, kidney injury, pancreatitis, or interference with other medications.

Always check with your doctor before starting on a supplement.

Are there any home remedies to treat COVID-19?

There is no scientific proof that immunity-boosting herbal or natural remedies can treat or cure COVID-19. Additionally, other home remedies such as the use of peppers, garlic, drinking alcohol or ethanol, taking hot baths, or rinsing your nose with saline do not protect against or cure COVID-19.

Is hydroxychloroquine still used to treat COVID-19?

Hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine are used to treat malaria and autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. However, studies have shown that these medications do not have any clinical benefits in treating COVID-19. Amid concerns about their safety and efficacy they are not recommended in the treatment of COVID-19.