Nitazoxanide, a broad-spectrum antiparasitic, has been proposed as a possible COVID-19 therapeutic.
In vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity
Nitazoxanide shows anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in Vero E6 cells and has broad activity against a range of viruses. However, activity in Vero cells does not appear sufficient to establish effiacy in vivo, as hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine have strong anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in Vero cells but fail in vivo, perhaps due to differences in TMPRSS2 expression.
Nitazoxnide may also "[potentiate] the production of type 1 interferons (alpha and beta) produced by the host’s fibroblasts," a possible mechanism of benefit in COVID-19.
Nitazoxanide for COVID-19 research reviews
- "Drug repurposing of nitazoxanide: can it be an effective therapy for COVID-19?"
- "Review of safety and minimum pricing of nitazoxanide for potential treatment of COVID-19"
- "Dose prediction for repurposing nitazoxanide in SARS-CoV-2 treatment or chemoprophylaxis"