Ribavirin:
Hepatitis B, hepatitis C virus, and RSV infections are treated effectively by ribavirin, which acts as nucleoside analog. A study on Vero cells showed combining ribavirin with interferon-alpha inhibits SARS CoV 2. Ribavirin administration as monotherapy shows that drug resistance is widespread, and combination therapies either with interferon, or lopinavir/ritonavir are fruitful[41]. Another study on Severe SARS-CoV-2 patients treated with ribavirin monotherapy(n=111) and combination therapy (lopinavir/ritonavir) (n=41) shows that later group are at lower risk for developing complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and death[7].
Lopinavir/Ritonavir
The same study discussed under the ribavirin section of 41 patients treated with combined therapy had a better safety profile and less severe adverse outcomes. [7]A recent study implies that various drug combinations, in SARS-CoV-2 patients (n=51), including lopinavir/ritonavir were studied and symptoms in these patients were improved[19]. In a case report, a 54-year-old patient who was successfully treated with lopinavir/ritonavir from 10 days of infection shows a decrease in viral loads.[41] In a randomized open-labeled study, COVID patients(n=199) are treated with lopinavir/ritonavir after 13 days from the onset of symptoms. No improvement was reported in these patients because of delay in the administration of these drugs.[20] Further trials are needed to confirm it is efficacy. Various drug interactions and adverse effects limit their use.