The war against COVID-19 began in December 2019. The virus has ever since altered people’s lifestyles and digitized everything. The difficult pandemic has brought a slew of challenges, but the world has managed to locate treatments, including oral meds, pills, and immunizations against the virus. The effectiveness of various COVID-19 medications and treatments will be discussed in this blog.
Newly claimed COVID-19 medication
Baricitinib and Sotrovimab, two new medications, were just approved. The medications claim to alleviate COVID-19 symptoms and prevent hospitalization. In combination with corticosteroids, baricitinib, which is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, has been “highly recommended” for individuals with severe or critical COVID-19. It belongs to a class of medications known as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, which reduce immune system overstimulation. It is an oral medication that has been suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO) in July 2021 as an alternative to conventional arthritis medications known as Interleukin-6 receptor blockers.
Sotrovimab is an experimental monoclonal antibody developed by GlaxoSmithKline in collaboration with Vir Biotechnology Inc in the United States for the treatment of coronavirus-related illnesses. Its use for treating mild or moderate COVID-19 in patients at high risk of hospitalization has been conditionally recommended by the WHO. Patients who are elderly, immunocompromised, and have underlying diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, as well as those who are unvaccinated, fall into this category.
Are the Two Effective in the future?
The most recent WHO recommendations are the eighth update to the WHO’s living therapeutic guidelines and COVID-19. They’re based on data from seven studies that included nearly 4,000 individuals with non-severe, severe, and serious COVID-19.
Besides, Baricitnib is an alternative for Tocilizumab and is advised to use with steroids. Steroid on the other hand has many side effects listed below:
- Cancers of the liver, kidneys, and prostate are all at a higher risk.
- High blood pressure raises the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
- Bone development and linear growth are halted prematurely (height).
- Damage to the liver, including the development of blood-filled liver cysts that can rupture and result in death.
- Baldness, breast development, reduced testicles, and a temporary inability to father a child in men.
- In women, smaller breasts, irregular menstruation cycles, and a masculine look, including an enlarged clitoris, facial and body hair, and a deep voice.
Well, the drugs may relieve the symptoms for now but will have an adverse effect on health as well. Furthermore, there is no evidence of it being efficient in the future.
Read more: COVID-19 Pills can Slowdown Upsurge in COVID Cases
