Treatment of COVID-19 in the light of current interdisciplinary recommendations (data as of February 2022)
Abstract
There are three main therapeutic approaches currently used in the treatment of patients with COVID-19: immunomodulatory therapy with corticosteroids (dexa- methasone) and interleukin blockers (tocilizumab, anakinra, baricitinib), which is aimed at counteracting the excessive immune response and the so-called cytokine storm, and the treatment with monoclonal antibodies (bamlanivimab, etesevimab, casirivimab, imdevimab, regdanvimab) and antivirals (remdesivir, molnupiravir, nirmatrelvir), which is directed against the virus itself (preventing the virus from entering the cells, preventing replication). The aim of these drugs is to reduce the risk of progression to severe form of disease requiring hospitalisation, and to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with COVID-19 as well.
The conditions and recommendations for the administration of immunomodulators, monoclonal antibodies and antivirals are specified in the position papers of the ČLS JEP.