Emerging pharmacotherapies for COVID-19.

• Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID 19) is caused by novel corona virus (nCoV) & leads to respiratory failure in susceptible individuals. • Many drugs have been repurposed and are potentially used either prophylactically or therapeutically throughout the world. • SOLIDARITY trial by WHO promotes clinical trial with respect to four potentially useful repurposed medications. • The drugs mentioned in SOLIDARITY trial are mainly antivirals except for hydroxychloroquine which is an anti-malarial drug. • Convalescent plasma therapy is an evolving therapy based on the principle of passive immunity. • Cytokine storm are believed to lead to deterioration in patients and drugs against the same are also in research. Novel Corona-virus Disease 2019 (nCOVID 19) is caused by a novel virulent corona virus and leads to potentially fatal virulent pneumonia and severe respiratory distress syndrome. It was initially declared as public health emergency if international concern by WHO followed by Pandemic on 12th March 2020. As of 10th April 2020, more than 1.5 million people are affected globally with around 95,000 deaths. Vaccines for this deadly virus are currently under development and many drugs used for other indications have been repurposed and investigated for prophylaxis and treatment of COVID 19. As per SOLIDARITY trial by WHO, some of the most promising candidates include chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine which are anti-malarial medications, Remdesivir, Lopinavir-Ritonavir combination with or without interferon which are anti-HIV drugs and convalescent plasma therapy. The current evidence of efficacy and ongoing research has been elaborated in the article. Besides, there has been evidence regarding inflammatory pathogenesis of this virus leading to cytokine storm in susceptible individuals. Thus, anti-proinflammatory cytokine drugs like Anakinra and Tocilizumab are undergoing multiple trials and some results are encouraging. Similarly, use of anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-37 and IL-38 is hypothesised to be useful and is under research. The situation is still evolving and hence there is yet no definitive therapy but to conclude the use of repurposed medications can be a boon till a definitive therapy and vaccines are developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]