A survey released by the University of Brasilia on Wednesday shows that antiretroviral drug atazanavir — typically prescribed to treat HIV — could reduce viral load in people infected with the coronavirus. Researchers hope this could lead to faster recovery for Covid-19 patients.
Researchers say atazanavir-based treatment could help lower the number of hospitalizations of people with severe Covid-19 infections — but further trials remain necessary before efficacy can be proven.
The study results were published in the Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society.