[The medicinal treatment of COVID-19: a brief update]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2020 Nov 12:164:D5620.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

Much has changed in the medical treatment of COVID-19 after the first patient with an infection with SARS-CoV-2 in the Netherlands was diagnosed in February 2020. On the basis of limited data, at first only off-label use of (hydroxy)chloroquine seemed to be a treatment option. However, now based on the findings of several randomized studies, other medicines have been included in the Dutch guidelines about the treatment of COVID-19. In this article, we will briefly discuss the current state of affairs with regard to the drugs (hydroxy) chloroquine, remdesivir and corticosteroids. Again, it appears that only well-executed randomized clinical trials can determine the status of various supposedly effective drugs.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Monophosphate / analogs & derivatives*
  • Adenosine Monophosphate / pharmacology
  • Adenosine Monophosphate / therapeutic use
  • Alanine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Alanine / pharmacology
  • Alanine / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Drug Repositioning* / methods
  • Drug Repositioning* / standards
  • Glucocorticoids* / pharmacology
  • Glucocorticoids* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine* / pharmacology
  • Hydroxychloroquine* / therapeutic use
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • SARS-CoV-2 / drug effects*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • remdesivir
  • Adenosine Monophosphate
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Alanine