Are currently available antiretrovirals effective against COVID-19?

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Currently no antiretroviral therapies are licenced for the therapy of COVID-19. However, antivirals can be used. They should be administered as soon as possible,  in early stages of the disease However, not all patients need antiretroviral therapy. Compassionate- use is possible, however contraindications should be considered. 

  • Remdesivir: is effective against MERS, ongoing trials
  • Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Kaletra®): Proteaseinhibitors which are used for HIV. Data in COVID-19 patients is scarce. Dose: 400mgg/100mg/ BID, no dose adjustment for chronic kidney disease necessary. → Monitor liver function parameters!, Contraindications: severe liver disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, prolonged QTc

Update: 21.03.2020 A study using Lopiavir has recently been relesead that demonstrated no benefit of lopinavir–ritonavir treatment beyond standard care

 Time to Clinical Improvement in the Intention-to-Treat Population.
NEJM Bin Cao, M.D et al