In a small study, the triple antiviral treatment — interferon beta-1b, lopinavir-ritonavir and ribavirin — was started within seven days of the patients showing COVID-19 symptoms and was found to be safe and to shorten the duration of viral shedding compared to lopinavir-ritonavir alone (average 7 days vs. 12 days).
Antiviral Trio Shows Mettle Against COVID-19
FRIDAY, May 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- A triple whammy of three antiviral drugs shows promise in fighting mild to moderate COVID-19, a new, small study suggests.
Two weeks of interferon beta-1b, lopinavir-ritonavir and ribavirin -- along with standard care -- was tested in 127 adult patients in six Hong Kong hospitals.
The triple antiviral treatment was started within seven days of the patients showing COVID-19 symptoms and was found to be safe and to shorten the duration of viral shedding compared to lopinavir-ritonavir alone (average 7 days vs. 12 days).
The phase 2 study in the May 8 issue of The Lancet journal didn't include patients with severe illness, and the researchers emphasized that larger phase 3 studies in critically ill patients are needed to determine if the triple therapy can provide clinically significant benefits.