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Immunosuppressant Drugs Therapy with COVID-19: Associated Risks, Drug-Drug Interactions & Contraindications
  • Debjyoti Talukdar,
  • Diane Ignacio,
  • Madan Mohan Gupta
Debjyoti Talukdar
Teerthanker Mahaveer University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Diane Ignacio
The University of the West Indies at St Augustine
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Madan Mohan Gupta
The University of the West Indies at St Augustine
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Abstract

Immunosuppressant drugs like Etanercept, Mycophenolate mofetil, Sirolimus, Cyclosporine and Rituximab can weaken the immune system and make patients susceptible to SARS nCoV-2 virus. These drugs make immunocompromised persons more vulnerable to complications associated with COVID-19. Moreover, it can also increase the mortality and morbidity, as a weakened immune system can lead to longer duration of infection. This study discusses the guidelines on immunosuppressant drugs and its associated risk factors with COVID-19, issued by the U.S CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), WHO (World Health Organisation), U.S FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and other accredited global health organisations. Moreover, it also includes information about pharmaceutical properties, mechanism of action, COVID-19 associated risk factors, adverse drug reactions, contraindications and drug-drug interactions. Our study will help government partners and international health organisations to better understand COVID-19 health risks associated with immunosuppressants. Increased public awareness about effective drug therapy for autoimmune diseases, cancer treatment, immunocompromised and organ transplant patients will help lower the mortality and morbidity associated with the disease amid COVID-19 pandemic.