S. no. Drug Effective against Mechanism of action Adverse effects References
1. Ribavirin SARS-CoV Anti-viral nucleoside analog – inhibits the viral genomic replication Anemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, developed the risk of teratogenicity and bradycardia [118].
2. Lopinavir SARS-CoV Protease inhibitors Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache [122]
3. Ritonavir SARS-CoV Protease inhibitors Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache [122]
4. Methylprednisolone SARS-CoV Anti-inflammatory effect The onset of diabetes, avascular necrosis, osteoporosis. [132,133]
5. Corticosteroids SARS-CoV Inhibits pro-inflammatory effects Aspergillosis and fungal superinfection [49,134]
6. Methylprednisolone (0.5–1 mg/kg) followed by hydrocortisone (100 mg/8 h) and pulse doses of methylprednisolone (0.5 g for 3 d) Lung diseases – – [124]
7. Convalescent plasma SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 Adaptive or passive immune response – [135,139]
8. Lopinavir/ritonavir MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 Not effective against MERS, anti-viral therapy for pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache [140]
9. Pegylated interferon-α Hepatitis-C, MERS-CoV Inhibits DNA synthesis Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache [140]
10. Lopinavir/ritonavir and IFN-β MERS-CoV Improves pulmonary, reduce viral load, and necrosis in lungs and extrapulmonary tissues Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache [143,144]
11. Hydroxychloroquine SARS-CoV-2, Malaria Blocks maturation of endosome, maturation and its function by inhibiting the release of virions in the infected cell Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness [112]