Title:Immunosuppressant Drugs and Covid-19: Associated Risks, Drug-Drug Interactions and Contraindications
Volume: 2
Issue: 12
Author(s): Debjyoti Talukdar, Diane Ignacio and Madan Mohan Gupta*
Affiliation:
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago,West Indies
Keywords:
COVID-19, immunosuppressant drugs, etanercept, mycophenolate mofetil, sirolimus, cyclosporine, rituximab.
Abstract: Immunosuppressant drugs like Etanercept, Mycophenolate mofetil, Sirolimus, Cyclosporine,
and Rituximab can weaken the immune system and make patients susceptible to SARS
nCoV-2 virus. These drugs make immunocompromised persons more vulnerable to complications
associated with COVID-19. Moreover, it can also increase mortality and morbidity, as a weakened
immune system can lead to a longer duration of infection. This study discusses the guidelines on
immunosuppressant drugs and their associated risk factors with COVID-19, issued by the U.S
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), WHO (World Health Organization), U.S FDA
(Food and Drug Administration), and other accredited global health organizations. Moreover, it also
includes information about pharmaceutical properties, mechanism of action, COVID-19 associated
risk factors, adverse drug reactions, contraindications, and drug-drug interactions. Our study
will help government partners and international health organizations to understand COVID-19
health risks associated with immunosuppressants. Increased public awareness about effective drug
therapy for autoimmune diseases, cancer treatment, immunocompromised, and organ transplant patients
will help lower the mortality and morbidity associated with the disease amid the COVID-19
pandemic.
