Almitrine: a possible therapeutic strategy for COVID-19?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) remains with no specific treatment, despite the efforts of many scientists around the world. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) penetrates human host banknotes through interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) receptors, located at respiratory tract (upper and lower) and the olfactory epithelium (pathway to the Central Nervous System). The virus causes COVID-19 and sometimes a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Several neurological manifestations can be associated with the infection. The SARS-COV-2 neurotropism for cardiorespiratory centers, causing autonomic damage, may contribute to respiratory failure. Almitrine is a respiratory stimulant drug, used in chronic hypoxemic diseases. Almitrine acts in peripheral chemoreceptors and could be a potential treatment for the optimization of chemoreceptors, improving the respiratory control affected by the SARS‐CoV‐2 in patients with COVID-19.