Raloxifene and bazedoxifene could be promising candidates for preventing the COVID-19 related cytokine storm, ARDS and mortality

Abstract

The FDA-approved drugs raloxifene and bazedoxifene could be among the best candidates to prevent mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. Raloxifene and bazedoxifene inhibit IL-6 signaling at therapeutic doses, suggesting they have the potential to prevent the cytokine storm, ARDS and mortality in severe COVID-19 patients, as is being shown with humanized antibodies blocking IL-6 signaling. In addition, raloxifene and bazedoxifene are selective estrogen receptor modulators with strong antiviral activity.