Lopinavir and ritonavir used for three Covid-19 patients in Maharashtra

As per the instructions of ICMR, the antiretroviral treatment can be started in the present case but not directly.

At least in three cases of Covid- 19 in Maharashtra, two anti-HIV drugs were given to the coronavirus-affected patients, said a health official on Wednesday. Archana Patil, Directorate of Health Services (DHS), informed this during a press conference of Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope.

Asked about any instructions from ICMR to give anti- HIV drugs to coronavirus-affected patients which were successful in an Italian patient's case in Rajasthan, Tope said as far as he knows, only "symptomatic" treatment was given in these cases. There was no anti-viral drug available right now, he said.

Patil, while elaborating on the anti-HIV drugs, said as per the instructions of ICMR, the antiretroviral treatment can be started in the present case but not directly. "The treatment is based on the seriousness of the patient. Out of 42 positive cases, in three cases, these two drugs, lopinavir, and ritonavir have been used," she said.