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Niclosamide—A promising treatment for COVID‐19
Author(s) -
Singh Shivani,
Weiss Anne,
Goodman James,
Fisk Marie,
Kulkarni Spoorthy,
Lu Ing,
Gray Joanna,
Smith Rona,
Sommer Morten,
Cheriyan Joseph
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/bph.15843
Subject(s) - niclosamide , repurposing , medicine , drug repositioning , covid-19 , pharmacology , pandemic , clinical trial , nociceptin receptor , drug , biology , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , ecology , receptor , opioid , opioid peptide
Vaccines have reduced the transmission and severity of COVID‐19, but there remains a paucity of efficacious treatment for drug‐resistant strains and more susceptible individuals, particularly those who mount a suboptimal vaccine response, either due to underlying health conditions or concomitant therapies. Repurposing existing drugs is a timely, safe and scientifically robust method for treating pandemics, such as COVID‐19. Here, we review the pharmacology and scientific rationale for repurposing niclosamide, an anti‐helminth already in human use as a treatment for COVID‐19. In addition, its potent antiviral activity, niclosamide has shown pleiotropic anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, bronchodilatory and anticancer effects in numerous preclinical and early clinical studies. The advantages and rationale for nebulized and intranasal formulations of niclosamide, which target the site of the primary infection in COVID‐19, are reviewed. Finally, we give an overview of ongoing clinical trials investigating niclosamide as a promising candidate against SARS‐CoV‐2.