TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Months after the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread worldwide, there have yet been any medicines or vaccines found by global health agencies. However, there are a number of drugs available in the market that are believed to be able to target the SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.

The Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) in its official guide book entitled “Everything COVID-19: Preventing the virus and maintaining good health” describes three approved drugs that can be used to treat patients under emergency pandemic circumstances:

1. Chloroquine

This drug is among many potent drugs approved by the BPOM to treat adult or teenage COVID-19 patients, under emergency conditions. The use of this drug needs to be under a doctor’s close monitoring due to the side effects chloroquine can cause, which include stomachaches and headaches. Consulting doctors is highly recommended once a patient taking this drug experiences heartbeat irregularities, vision problems, hearing difficulties, and muscle weaknesses.

2. Hydroxychloroquine

This is also one of the many potent drugs that need to be under expert medical monitoring for its use. The HydroxyChloroquine is generally used to treat Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The BPOM passed the use of this drug only under emergency situations for adult and teenage COVID-19 sufferers. The side effects include nausea and vomiting.

3. Favipiravir

This hard drug is also approved by the BPOM to be used on adult COVID-19 patient treatments. However, the health agency strongly recommends against female patients who are pregnant or are breastfeeding. The side effects caused by this drug range from diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomachache, stomach inflammation, and peptic ulcers.

SARAH ERVINA DARA SIYAHAILATUA