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Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews

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ISSN (Print): 1573-398X
ISSN (Online): 1875-6387

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Review Article

Antifibrotic Drugs for COVID-19: From Orphan Drugs to Blockbusters?

Author(s): Leander Corrie*, MD Muzaffar-Ur-Rehman, Latha Kukatil, Devasari Manasa and Adepu Shirisha

Volume 17, Issue 1, 2021

Published on: 04 March, 2021

Page: [8 - 12] Pages: 5

DOI: 10.2174/1573398X17666210304100043

Price: $65

Abstract

Antifibrotic agents are known to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The two antifibrotic agents approved and in usage are Pirfenidone and Nintedanib granted by the USFDA in 2014. They are both known to decrease inflammation in the lungs. The fact that COVID-19 has shown to cause inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs frames the theory of their usage in the treatment of the disease by reducing lung scaring and allowing faster discharge of patients with post-COVID complications. The need for them to change their status from orphans to blockbusters has not happened yet due to fewer data and less research available on them as well as various other economic and patient- related factors. Since COVID-19 is widespread and causes many complications of the lungs that are similar to what these two drugs treat. We believe that the status of these drugs could be changed due to an increase in demand for them.

Keywords: Antifibrotic, COVID-19, Pirfenidone, Nintedanib, Orphan drugs, SARS-CoV-2.

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Graphical Abstract

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