Immunosuppressant Drugs and Covid-19: Associated Risks, Drug-Drug Interactions and Contraindications

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.

Cite this article as:

Talukdar Debjyoti, Ignacio Diane and Gupta Mohan Madan*, Immunosuppressant Drugs and Covid-19: Associated Risks, Drug-Drug Interactions and Contraindications, Coronaviruses 2021; 2 (12) : e070921193747 . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2666796702666210601125131