"The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has developed and regularly updates Treatment Guidelines to help guide healthcare providers caring for patients with COVID-19, including when clinicians might consider using one of the products under an EUA. Currently, there are several approaches for treating patients with severe COVID-19 who are being cared for in the hospital. In studies, some drugs have shown some benefit in reducing the severity of illness or risk of death by:
- Slowing the virus. Antiviral medications reduce the ability of the virus to multiply and spread through the body.
- Remdesivir is an antiviral medication that is recommended in the current NIH Treatment Guidelines for patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19 and, if supplies are limited, require supplemental oxygen. Remdesivir is given to patients by infusion through their veins.
- Reducing an overactive immune response. In patients with severe COVID-19, the body’s immune system may overreact to the threat of the virus. This can cause damage to the body’s organs and tissues. Some treatments can help reduce an overactive immune response that worsens the disease.
- Dexamethasone is a steroid medication, similar to a natural hormone produced by the body. The NIH Treatment Guidelines recommend dexamethasone, or a similar medication, for some hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 to prevent or reduce injury to the body. Dexamethasone is recommended for patients who need supplemental oxygen."
The clinical outcomes of corticosteroid use in coronavirus and similar outbreaks is discussed in this article:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30317-2/fulltext
A Covid Index entry for the 2019 clinical trial of remdesivir and 3 other investigational therapies can be found here:
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