Jean S.-S.PO-REN HSUEH2020-12-182020-12-1820201478-7210https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/528110Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has developed since December 2019. It has caused a global pandemic with more than three hundred thousand case fatalities. However, apart from supportive care by respirators, no standard medical therapy is validated. Areas covered: This paper presents old drugs with potential in vitro efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. The in vitro database, adverse effects, and potential toxicities of these drugs are reviewed regarding their feasibility of clinical prescription for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. To obtain convincing recommendations, we referred to opinions from the US National Institute of Health regarding drugs repurposed for COVID-19 therapy. Expert opinion: Although strong evidence of well-designed randomized controlled studies regarding COVID-19 therapy is presently lacking, remdesivir, teicoplanin, hydroxychloroquine (not in combination with azithromycin), and ivermectin might be effective antiviral drugs and are deemed promising candidates for controlling SARS-CoV-2. In addition, tocilizumab might be considered as the supplementary treatment for COVID-19 patients with cytokine release syndrome. In future, clinical trials regarding a combination of potentially effective drugs against SARS-CoV-2 need to be conducted to establish the optimal regimen for the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19. ? 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.COVID-19; favipiravir; re-purposed; Remdesivir; SARS-COV-2[SDGs]SDG3angiotensin converting enzyme 2; angiotensin receptor antagonist; azithromycin; chloroquine; darunavir; enzyme inhibitor; favipiravir; hydroxychloroquine; hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor; interleukin 6; ivermectin; Janus kinase inhibitor; lipoglycopeptide; lopinavir plus ritonavir; monoclonal antibody; neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist; nitric oxide; placebo; proteinase inhibitor; remdesivir; ribavirin; teicoplanin; tocilizumab; angiotensin receptor antagonist; antivirus agent; dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase inhibitor; immunologic factor; adverse event; antiviral activity; antiviral therapy; Article; artificial ventilation; coronavirus disease 2019; cytokine storm; disease severity; drug efficacy; drug mechanism; drug repositioning; drug safety; extracorporeal oxygenation; human; immunomodulation; in vitro study; nonhuman; pneumonia; prescription; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus infection; drug effect; drug repositioning; pandemic; procedures; treatment outcome; virus pneumonia; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Antiviral Agents; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus Infections; Drug Repositioning; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Treatment Outcomejournal article10.1080/14787210.2020.1771181324195242-s2.0-85087086573