The Pharmacogenomics Aspects of Drugs Used in COVID-19 Treatment

Abstract

The increase in mortality and morbidity related to the novel COVID-19 virus led researchers to work on developing new therapies to destroy the virus. Numerous clinical trials have started to find drugs that will effectively treat the signs and symptoms of the virus. This review aims to summarize the pharmacogenomic aspects of drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, azithromycin, remdesivir, favipiravir, ribavirin, lopinavir/ritonavir, darunavir/cobicistat, interferon beta-1b, tocilizumab, ruxolitinib, baricitinib, and corticosteroids used in the treatment of this virus. The data will be collected from various websites such as PubMed, Lancet, WHO website, PharmGKB website, IDSA Guidelines on the treatment & management of COVID-19 Patients, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) product labeling, and pharmacogenomics tables. Incomplete data exists related to the efficacy and safety of these drugs and healthcare providers are struggling to make the right treatment choices. Drug-gene variants may alter the pharmacokinetics and safety of some drugs and thus produce adverse drug reactions. Therefore, pharmacogenomics may help doctors decide the correct course of treatment by knowing the genetic makeup of an individual. This can eventually help to eliminate adverse drug reactions and reduce the mortality rate.