Therapeutics

This chapter begins with an investigation into the rampant use of ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19 despite evidence of its ineffectiveness. It describes how non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) (facemask wearing, curfews, and quarantines) limit spread of infection when therapeutic agents may not be available, as in the catastrophic 1918 influenza pandemic. It then provides an overview of the path to scientific truth in developing therapeutic agents and the principles of pharmacology. The chapter details the viral life cycle, pathophysiology, and challenges in developing antiviral medications. It covers the National Institutes of Health (NIH) COVID-19 treatment guidelines and recommendations, with details about the preferred and alternative therapies recommended by the NIH. Finally, the chapter reflects on the necessity of using NPIs and therapeutic agents in conjunction as the virus continues to mutate and new therapeutics are developed.