Using Infliximab to Treat COVID

August 12, 2021

Yesterday, the WHO announced that three drugs are being tested as effective treatments for COVID-19. The trial will include infliximab, which is currently approved to treat autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

So far, infliximab has shown decreased mortality risks for those infected with COVID-19 when used as a treatment, regardless of whether they have an autoimmune disease. In fact, one study found that its use helped drop mortality rates for hospitalized COVID-19 patients by 35%. Other studies have also noted a marked improvement for infected patients being treated with infliximab.

The NIH and Tufts Medical Center are currently conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial testing whether TNF inhibitors like infliximab reduce the need for respiratory support in severe COVID-19 infections.