Abstract
COVID-19 is announced as a global pandemic in 2020. The emergent
outbreak of COVID-19 prompted by severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) keeps spreading globally. Its mortality and
morbidity rate are rapidly increasing, and medication options are still
limited. A patient’s immune response plays a pivotal role in the
pathogenesis of COVID-19. Hyperinflammatory state may sparks significant
imbalances in transporters and drug metabolizing enzymes, and subsequent
alteration of drug pharmacokinetics that may result in unexpected
therapeutic response. The present scenario has accounted the requirement
for therapeutic opportunities to relive and overcome this pandemic.
Despite the fact, the diminishing developments of COVID-19, there is no
drug still approved to have significant effects with no side effect.
Based on the evidence, many antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs have
been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the
COVID-19 patients even though not knowing the possible drug-drug
interactions. Hydroxychloroquine is the first medicine chosen for the
treatment of disease. Remdesivir, favipiravir, and molnupiravir are
deemed the most hopeful antiviral agent; by improving health of infected
patients. The dexamethasone saved the lives of seriously ill patients.
Many randomized and controlled clinical trials are taking place to
further corroborate these agent’s safety and efficacy in handling
COVID-19. The current review summarizes the involvement of drug
transporters and drug metabolizing enzymes for the existing drugs and
gives the opinion on the potential drug-drug interactions in an
inflammatory state. This may permit the individualization of these drugs
thereby enhancing the safety and efficacy.