Lopinavir-Ritonavir Was Not Effective for COVID-19

In an open-label randomized study in Wuhan, China, 14 days of lopinavir-ritonavir therapy did not differ from standard care regarding clinical improvement or decrease in viral RNA load.

Currently, there are no drugs documented to be effective to treat patients with COVID-19 arising from coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, lopinavir (a protease inhibitor clinically available for HIV-1 infection) has shown in vitro activity against SARS-CoV, and a study of lopinavir plus the protease inhibitor ritonavir demonstrated clinical efficacy for human severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). To evaluate whether lopinavir-ritonavir would be effective for COVID-19, investigators conducted an open-label randomized trial at a single hospital in Wuhan, China, beginning on January 18, 2020. They assigned 199 adult patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, radiographically confirmed pneumonia, and an oxygen saturation of <94% or a ratio …

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Lopinavir-Ritonavir Was Not Effective for COVID-19

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Reviewing Author