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 It is likely to become outdated with time.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 [1] Sodium pyruvate (EmphyClear; N115) – various actions [2]
Phase 2 AER-002 – monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein [3] Allogeneic human umbilical cord blood haematopoietic progenitor cell therapy (Regenecyte; HPC-cord blood) – cell replacement [4] Bezisterim (HE-3286; NE-3107; Triolex; 17α-ethynyl-5-androstene-3β,7β,17β-triol) – undefined mechanism of action (synthetic androstenetriol analogue and anti-inflammatory) [5] Celecoxib/valacyclovir (IMC-2) – combination of celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor/NSAID) and valacyclovir (antiviral/viral DNA polymerase inhibitor) [6] Cyclobenzaprine (KRL-102; TNX-102; Tonmya) – tricyclic antidepressant (monoamine reuptake inhibitor and monoamine receptor modulator) [7] Leronlimab (PA-14; PRO-140; Vyrologix) – monoclonal antibody against CCR5 [8] Nogapendekin alfa inbakicept (ALT-803; Anktiva; IL-15N72D/IL-15Ra-Fc; N-803; VesAnktiva) – fusion protein and interleukin-15 receptor agonist [9] Rintatolimod (AMP-516; AMP-518; Ampligen; Atvogen; Rintamod; PolyI:PolyC12U) – mismatched double-stranded polymer of RNA (dsRNA) and toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist [10] Rovunaptabin (BC-007) – oligonucleotide aptamer (binds to and neutralizes autoantibodies against GPCRs) [11] RSLV-132 – fusion protein (RNase fused to the Fc domain of IgG1) [12] Sipavibart (AZD-3152; Kavigale) – monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein [13] Temelimab (GENHP-01; GNbAC-1; GNN-001) – monoclonal antibody against human endogenous retrovirus-W (HERV-W) and consequent toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibitor [14] Vidofludimus calcium (4SC-101; IM-90838; IMU-838; SC-12267; VidoCa) – dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor and Nurr1 activator [15]
Preclinical Foralumab (NI-0401; NI-0401/α-CD3; TZLS-401) – monoclonal antibody against CD3 [16] LTI-2355 – phagocyte modulator [17] Maraviroc/atorvastatin – combination of maraviroc (antiviral/CCR5 receptor antagonist) and atorvastatin (statin) [18]
Research SFA-006 – GPR43 modulator [19]
Clinical phase unknown Ensitrelvir (S-217622; Xocova) – antiviral (coronavirus 3C-like proteinase inhibitor) [20] 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 [21]
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") [22] Deupirfenidone (deuterated pirfenidone; LYT-100; LYT-100-COV; LYT-100-ILD; LYT-100-LYMPH; SD-560) – deuterated pirfenidone (collagen inhibitor and anti-inflammatory/immunomodulator) [23] DMI-9523 (Ampion; DA-DKP; LMWF-5A) – nuclear factor NF-κB activation inhibitor and anti-inflammatory [24]
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
