Сurrent Issues of Drug-Drug Interactions in Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19) Therapy
Pharmacotherapy issues in novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are one of the most relevant at the present time. Rapid studying of efficacy and safety of the administered drugs is obligatory in order to increase therapy effects. A number of drugs used for treating COVID-19 can lead to serious drug reactions, which are more probable in case of combination therapies. The risk of developing ventricular cardiac rhythm disturbances during combination therapy with hydroxychloroquine + macrolide may be increased by several times. Clinicians should consider possible drug-drug interactions when prescribing any drugs that are associated with QT interval prolongation and ventricular tachycardia development. While being a potent inhibitor of liver enzymes, lopinavir/ritonavir reduces clearance of a large number of drugs, also increasing risk of side effects. In addition, a number of novel drugs, both etiotropic and pathogenetic, are being used for treatment of COVID-19 patients. Their interactions have not being studied enough up to the present time, but knowing pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics features of these drugs may suggest possible mechanisms and risks of drug-drug interactions.