Raloxifene and Bazedoxifene Could Be Promising Candidates for Preventing the COVID-19 Related Cytokine Storm, ARDS and Mortality

Abstract

The FDA-approved drugs raloxifene and bazedoxifene could be among the best candidates to prevent mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. Raloxifene and bazedoxifene inhibit IL-6 signaling at therapeutic doses, suggesting they have the potential to prevent the cytokine storm, ARDS and mortality in severe COVID-19 patients, as is being shown with humanized antibodies blocking IL-6 signaling.

In addition, raloxifene and bazedoxifene are selective estrogen receptor modulators with strong antiviral activity.

Keywords

• SARS-CoV-2
• lung failure
• cytokine storm
• IL6
• COVID-19 therapy
• bazedoxifene
• raloxifene