Abstract
As of March, 2020, Corona Virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has catapulted
to the status of a pandemic. Its rapid spread has initiated a worldwide
search for appropriate therapeutics targeting the causative SARS-CoV-2
virus. Till now, the management of critical COVID-19 patients mainly
revolves around the supportive therapies of supplemental oxygen and
ventilatory support. However, pharmacotherapy and immunotherapy
specifically intended to halt SARS-CoV-2 from exerting its effects are
increasingly being incorporated into treatment regimens. COVID-19
patient care continues to evolve as the available drugs are being
thoroughly investigated for their potential antiviral effects and new
therapies, such as vaccines, are being developed. The list of
pre-existing therapeutics that show promise against SARS-CoV-2 includes
anti-virals like Remdesivir, plasma therapy, traditional Chinese
medicine (TCM), anticoagulants, antibiotics, corticosteroids and several
other investigational agents such as vitamin supplements and thymosin
alpha one. In this comprehensive, updated review we will highlight the
major prospective therapies that are currently in the arsenal against
COVID-19 and where they stand in the treatment recommendations as well
as a brief look at the challenges faced in Pakistan. With this review we
not only hope to disseminate the accurate, recent information regarding
these therapies, but also discuss the reliability of the clinical trials
that have designated them to be useful against COVID-19.