List of investigational long COVID drugs

This is a list of investigational long COVID drugs, or drugs that are currently under development for clinical use for the treatment of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (long COVID) but are not yet approved.

Chemical/generic names are listed first, with developmental code names, synonyms, and brand names in parentheses. The format of list items is "Name (Synonyms) – Mechanism of Action [Reference]".

This list was last comprehensively updated in September 2025. It is likely to become outdated with time.

Under development

Phase 2/3

• Ibudilast (AV-411; Eyevinal; Ibinal; KC-404; Ketas; MN-166; Pinatos) – phosphodiesterase PDE4 inhibitor and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) antagonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800003982
• Sodium pyruvate (EmphyClear; N115) – various actions https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800044206

Phase 2

• AER-002 – monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800073917
• Allogeneic human umbilical cord blood haematopoietic progenitor cell therapy (Regenecyte; HPC-cord blood) – cell replacement https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800067921
• Bezisterim (HE-3286; NE-3107; Triolex; 17α-ethynyl-5-androstene-3β,7β,17β-triol) – undefined mechanism of action (synthetic androstenetriol analogue and anti-inflammatory) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800021683
• Celecoxib/valacyclovir (IMC-2) – combination of celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor/NSAID) and valacyclovir (antiviral/viral DNA polymerase inhibitor) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800065434
• Cyclobenzaprine (KRL-102; TNX-102; Tonmya) – tricyclic antidepressant (monoamine reuptake inhibitor and monoamine receptor modulator) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800017946
• Leronlimab (PA-14; PRO-140; Vyrologix) – monoclonal antibody against CCR5 https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800011544
• Nogapendekin alfa inbakicept (ALT-803; Anktiva; IL-15N72D/IL-15Ra-Fc; N-803; VesAnktiva) – fusion protein and interleukin-15 receptor agonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800039285
• Rintatolimod (AMP-516; AMP-518; Ampligen; Atvogen; Rintamod; PolyI:PolyC12U) – mismatched double-stranded polymer of RNA (dsRNA) and toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800001203
• Rovunaptabin (BC-007) – oligonucleotide aptamer (binds to and neutralizes autoantibodies against GPCRs) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800047946
• RSLV-132 – fusion protein (RNase fused to the Fc domain of IgG1) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800040207
• Sipavibart (AZD-3152; Kavigale) – monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800071694
• Temelimab (GENHP-01; GNbAC-1; GNN-001) – monoclonal antibody against human endogenous retrovirus-W (HERV-W) and consequent toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibitor https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800027319
• Vidofludimus calcium (4SC-101; IM-90838; IMU-838; SC-12267; VidoCa) – dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor and Nurr1 activator https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800048014

Preclinical

• Foralumab (NI-0401; NI-0401/α-CD3; TZLS-401) – monoclonal antibody against CD3 https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800022512
• LTI-2355 – phagocyte modulator https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800082139
• Maraviroc/atorvastatin – combination of maraviroc (antiviral/CCR5 receptor antagonist) and atorvastatin (statin) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800081365

Research

• SFA-006 – GPR43 modulator https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800070384

Clinical phase unknown

• Ensitrelvir (S-217622; Xocova) – antiviral (coronavirus 3C-like proteinase inhibitor) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800064734
• Lidocaine delivered in complex with HP-β-cyclodextrin; investigated for long COVID following a 36-week prospective observational interrupted time-series study reporting symptom improvement https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537025006157

Not under development

Discontinued

• AXA-1125 (AXA1125) – combination of five amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine, arginine, and glutamine) and an amino acid derivative (N-acetylcysteine) ("increases β-oxidation and improves bioenergetics") https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800057657
• Deupirfenidone (deuterated pirfenidone; LYT-100; LYT-100-COV; LYT-100-ILD; LYT-100-LYMPH; SD-560) – deuterated pirfenidone (collagen inhibitor and anti-inflammatory/immunomodulator) https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800038358
• DMI-9523 (Ampion; DA-DKP; LMWF-5A) – nuclear factor NF-κB activation inhibitor and anti-inflammatory https://adisinsight.springer.com/drugs/800031935

Clinically used drugs

Approved drugs

• None

Off-label drugs

• α₂-Adrenergic receptor agonists (e.g., clonidine, guanfacine)
• AMPA receptor antagonists (e.g., perampanel)
• Analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen, NSAIDs)
• Antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, mirtazapine, bupropion, trazodone, vortioxetine, St. John's wort)
• Antihistamines (H₁ receptor antagonists) (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine)
• Antivirals (e.g., lopinavir/ritonavir, acyclovir, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, remdesivir)
• Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., aripiprazole, risperidone, brexpiprazole, quetiapine)
• Beta blockers (e.g., propranolol, metoprolol)
• C1 esterase inhibitor (recombinant)
• Corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone, dexamethasone)
• Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• Histamine H₂ receptor antagonists (e.g., famotidine)
• Immunoglobulin (intravenous)
• Melatonin
• Monoclonal antibodies (e.g., adalimumab, infliximab)
• N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
• Naltrexone (low-dose)
• Probiotics and prebiotics
• Serotonergic psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin)
• Sleep aids (e.g., orexin receptor antagonists, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, melatonin, herbal sleep aids)
• Stimulants (e.g., amphetamine, methylphenidate)
• Vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements (e.g., coenzyme Q10, selenium, B vitamins, vitamin D, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, carnitine)
• Wakefulness-promoting agents (e.g., modafinil, armodafinil)

See also

• List of investigational drugs
• List of investigational ME/CFS drugs
• List of investigational fibromyalgia drugs
• List of investigational fatigue drugs
• List of investigational orthostatic intolerance drugs

References

External links

• AdisInsight - Springer