A Review on Current Side Effects of Used Drugs During Treatment of Patients With COVID- 19

Parisa Saberi Hasanabadi; Ramin Ataee

doi:10.18502/pbr.v7i4.9371

Parisa Saberi Hasanabadi Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Ramin Ataee Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/pbr.v7i4.9371

Keywords: COVID-19, Medicines, Toxicity, Convalescent plasma, Nanotherapeutics, Clinical observations, Side effects

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To increase the success in treating patients with COVID-19, many drug suggestions and some clinical studies are shared in the literature. However, the combination of several drugs with other clinical care has improved patients' conditions. And this review discusses some side effects of Covid-19 drugs' adverse effects.

Objectives: Here, we have shortly reported the recent updates on the most common and plausible drugs for treating COVID-19 patients. We also compare these treatment options based on their impact on symptom management, inpatient length of stay, and overall morbidity and mortality.

Methods: An extensive literature search was performed through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Most of the keywords used were: "COVID-19", "Side effects of used drugs," "Treatment of COVID-19", "Risk factors," "Organ damage," and "Methods of diagnosis and treatment."

Results: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and vitamin supplements do not have obvious benefits, but there is limited information to consider. Other factors and drugs such as improved plasma, eculizumab, immunoglobulins, IgG1-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, remidseiver, steroids, and tosilizumab have shown potential effects on patient's length of hospital stay and mortality. Currently, there is no evidence that any other vaccines, apart from those specifically designed for the SARSCov-2 virus, will protect against COVID-19.

Conclusion: Since the prevention of the COVID-19 virus is a new issue in the medical world, there is no known effective treatment option in this area, and the prevention of its adverse side effects has not been conclusively proven. Of course, the occurrence of side effects in patients undergoing treatment such as hepatotoxicity, retinal damage, nephrotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity proves that the necessary caution should be used in drug combination methods.