Candidate drug Drug class Current indication Mechanism of action Adverse effects Status of clinical trials
Lopinavir/ritonavir
Protease inhibitors (antiviral)
HIV-1
Inhibition of protease by preventing the cleavage of Gag-pol polyproteins.
Nausea and vomiting Diarrheoa Anemia Hyperlipidaemia, ALT elevation Impaired cognition/memory Insomnia On-going for SARS and COVID-19 (ChiCTR2000029539)
Chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine
Antimalarials
Malaria Autoimmune diseases Suppression of cytokine (TNF, IL, IFN) production/release. Inhibition of viral replication. Gastrointestinal upset Generalized pustular rash Urticaria, Erythroderma Macular retinopathy Cardiomyopathy Arrhythmias QT interval prolongation. Dizziness Tinnitus, Headaches Nightmares On-going for COVID-19. ChiCTR2000029609 (ICTPR); EUCTR2020-001406-27-FR
Remdesvir
Phosphoraramidate nucleotide (antiviral).
Under trial for Ebola.
Inhibition of RdRp causing premature termination of viral RNA transcription.
Will likely emerge as clinical trials unfold.
In phase II clinical trial for Ebola (NCT03719586); In phase III clinical trials for COVID-19 (NCT04252664)
Favipiravir
Viral polymerase inhibitior
Influenza strains unresponsive to current antivirals.
Inhibition the RdRp of influenza virus (polymerase basic 1 transcriptase) thereby interfering with the viral replication.
Diarhhoea Teratogenicity Increased serum uric acid levels Increased levels of transaminases Reduced neutrophil counts In clinical trial for COVID-19. (ChiCTR2000029548)
Darunavir
Viral Protease inhibitor
HIV -1 Infection
Inhibition of protease by preventing the cleavage of Gag-pol polyproteins.
Blurred vision Sweating, Myalgia Constipation Diarrhoea Jaundice Facial puffiness Difficulty in breathing Vomiting Tachycardia
On-going (NCT04304053)
Umifenovir
Antiviral
Influenza
It binds directly to influenza haemagglutinin (HA) and inhibit its ability to transit to an activated conformation. It also impairs fusion by intercalation into the viral or target membrane, thereby rendering the membrane less yielding for fusion.
Hypersensitivity in children
Recruiting stage of clinical trial. NCT04273763
Interferon
Immunomodulatory (Antiviral)
Multiple sclerosis. Hepatitis B and C virus infections. HPV Kaposi sarcoma. Inhibition of the activation of autophagy-inducing kinase, AMPK in viruses. It also activates macrophages that engulf antigens and natural killer cells (an immune T-cells). Fever Myalgia Hepatopathy Difficulty in breathing Anaphylactic reactions Depression Suicidal ideation In clinical trial for COVID-19 PER-010-20
Methylprednisolone
Anti-inflammatory. Immunomodulatory. Asthma. Vitiligo. Scleroderma Adrenal insufficiency. Nephrotic syndrome. Autoimmune cytopenia.
Binds to and activates specific receptors, resulting in altered gene expression and inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
Cataract Glaucoma Hypertension Peptic ulcer disease Pancreatitis Hyperglycaemia Hypocalcaemia Metabolic acidosis Growth suppression Secondary adrenal insufficiency On-going NCT04263402
Tocilizumab
Immunomodulator. Anti-inflammatory. Rheumatoid arthritis. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Non-infectious uveitis.
Inhibition of interleukin-6 (IL-6) binding to both membrane-bound and soluble receptors (IL-6R) in the system resulting in immunomodulation and anti-inflammation
Upper respiratory tract infections. Elevated liver enzymes. Hypercholestrolaemia Gastritis Mouth ulcers Gastro-intestinal perforation. On-going. EUCTR2020-001442-19-ES