Drugs

Mode of action

Recommended dosing

Precaution

Side effects

IFN-α

Broad spectrum antiviral

Inhibit viral RNA synthesis, viral replication and spread

Nebulised

(mild cases) 100,000-200,000 IU/kg, (severe cases) 200,000-4000,000 IU/kg or 2-4 µg/kg (in 2 mL sterile water)

BD-TDS for 5-7 days

Liver & renal dysfunction, mental illness (suicidal ideation more common in adolescents vs adults), severe or unstable heart disease or aplastic anaemia

Used with caution in < 2-months-old

Low grade fever, flu-like symptoms, growth suppression (when used with ribavirin)

Overdose: Myelosuppression, liver dysfunction, renal failure, coagulopathy

Lopinavir/ritonavir

Lopinavir is a substrate of CYP3A enzyme; ritonavir is

a strong inhibitor of CYP3A enzyme

Oral

≤ 15 kg: 12 mg/3 mg/kg per dose

15-40 kg: 10 mg/2.5 mg/kg per dose

≥ 40 kg: 400 mg/100 mg per dose

BD for 1-2 weeks

Liver dysfunction, jaundice, increase PR interval, heart blocks and hypokalemia

Contains 42% ethanol and 15% propylene glycol, which is not recommended in < 14-days-old

Diarrhea, vomiting, rash

Ribavirin

Broad spectrum antiviral with inhibitory effects on RNA & DNA viruses

Intravenous:

10-15 mg/kg per dose (maximum of 500mg per dose)

divided into BD-TDS dosing

Liver & renal dysfunction, cardiac disease

Not recommended < 3-years-old orally

Fever, headache, neutropenia, fatigue

Overdose: Haemolytic anaemia, myocardial injury

Chloroquine Dipohsphate

Anti-malarial

No recommendation

Liver & renal dysfunction, haematoprophyria, mental illness.

Use with caution in children

Dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, ocular toxicity, arrhythmia, psychosis, leukopenia

Overdose: Fatal with a dose of 50 mg/kg

Arbidol

No recommendation

Liver dysfunction

Use with caution in children

Nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, elevated aminotransferase