Clinical guidelines for diagnostic procedures, pharmacological management and other clinical management of suspected/confirmed COVID-19 paediatric patients. Visit Us: https://medicallearninghub.com/course/paediatric-care-considerations-in-management-of-covid-19-disease

1. Drugs Being Used in the Treatment of
Confirmed COVID 19 Cases
The novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China, in 2019, has now engulfed the entire
world. With millions of people infected, global healthcare systems are overburdened with
patients requiring treatment for symptoms that range from the moderate to the severe.
Countries have implemented lockdown measures and enforced social distancing to tackle the
spread of the disease.
Till date, no vaccine has been found for this strain of the coronavirus. As such, our best hopes lie
in the successful management and treatment of suspect and confirmed COVID 19 cases. In this
article, we will look at the drugs that are being currently used for the treatment of confirmed
COVID 19 cases.
Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an anti-malarial drug that has been approved for prophylactic use
in asymptomatic healthcare workers deployed at the frontline of the COVID 19 pandemic. India
is the world’s largest producer of HCQ, manufacturing around 70% of the global supply of this
important drug. HCQ is also prescribed to asymptomatic family members of confirmed COVID
19 cases. It is important to note that HCQ is not suitable for treating patients who are below 15
years of age and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Remdesivir
Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that has received approval for the treatment of severe cases of
COVID 19 seen in adults and children. Remdesivir works by preventing the virus from
replicating. Remdesivir was originally developed in response to the Ebola virus, but showed
limited response in treatment of Ebola. Studies are still being conducted to understand the
complete role that Remdesivir can play in the treatment of confirmed COVID 19 cases. Current
research indicates that this drug performs best when administered in combination with other
medicines to holistically manage symptoms of the novel coronavirus.

2. Clinical Trials
At present, India has begun trials of convalescent plasma therapy on COVID 19 patients with
critical symptoms. So far, the results are looking positive. The drug Favipiravir is also being
tested for its efficacy in COVID 19 treatment. Tocilizumab is another drug that is being
investigated for use in patients who require oxygen support or mechanical ventilation.
This is an overview of the drugs that are presently being used and tested for the treatment of
confirmed COVID 19 cases. Do bear in mind that none of these drugs are to be taken without
the direct recommendation of your doctor. Should you experience any of the symptoms of the
novel coronavirus, do follow your country’s protocol for testing immediately. The symptoms to
look out for include fever, dry cough, headache, body ache, and difficulties in breathing. These
symptoms might seem to overlap with those of the common flu so, never self-medicate.
Also, do refer to only reliable resources for information on the latest medical research
concerning the novel coronavirus. Medical Learning Hub (MLH) is a platform trusted by doctors
and PG medical students worldwide for continuing medical education (CME). MLH has many
courses and webinars on the latest developments in medical research concerning the COVID 19
pandemic. For more information, log on to the MLH website today. Take care and stay safe.
Link: https://medicallearninghub.com/course/paediatric-care-considerations-in-management-of-
covid-19-disease