Old Drug May Provide Promising New Treatment for COVID-19

Two common drugs may have an important role helping countries deal with the pandemic

Coronavirus looks to be vulnerable to a zinc-based treatment already commonly used for other diseases. Jezper/Shutterstock

Treatment options for COVID-19 are currently being investigated around the world. There is evidence that certain medications may have the potential to be effective against COVID-19 to prevent illness, treat symptoms, and potentially having direct antiviral effects.

Coronaviruses are RNA viruses that are named for the spikes that protrude from their surfaces, resembling a sun’s corona or crown. They usually cause mild illnesses of the respiratory tract in both humans and animals and are one of the primary microbes responsible for the common cold. Most of us have been infected with coronavirus multiple times in the course of our lives.