MERS Coronavirus: Drug Therapy

Therapeutic targets

  • Symptom relief
  • Treat complications and respiratory insufficiency (inadequate breathing resulting in inadequate gas exchange).
  • Prevent the spread of infection

Therapy recommendations

  • There is currently no specific antiviral therapy.
  • If necessary, treatment attempt with
    • Intravenous (“into the vein“) ribavirin (nucleoside analogue / virostatic, drugs that inhibit the multiplication of viruses) and interferon alfa-2b.
    • Lopinavir/ritonavir – significantly reduced mortality (death rate) in a randomized trial when treatment was combined early with interferon beta-1b
  • Balance acid-base balance and electrolytes.
  • If necessary, ventilation
  • In case of superinfection (secondary infection), antibiosis (antibiotic therapy) is performed.