The WHO has recommended two new treatments to treat COVID-19: baricitinib and a monoclonal antibody drug, sotrovimab.

Baricitinib is an oral drug used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

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“It is an immunomodulator and is indicated for patients with severe or critical COVID-19,” explained Dr Janet Diaz, the organisation’s clinical management lead, who explained that it is administered with corticosteroids.

It is an alternative to other arthritis drugs recommended by the WHO in July 2021.

The WHO also conditionally recommends the use of a monoclonal antibody drug, sotrovimab, for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in patients at high risk of hospitalisation, such as those who are elderly, immunocompromised, have underlying diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity, and are unvaccinated.

Sotrovimab is an alternative to a monoclonal antibody cocktail, casirivimab-imdevimab, recommended in September, which laboratory studies have shown to be less responsive to omicron. Sotrovimab retains its effectiveness according to preliminary results.

The guideline panel also considered two other drugs for severe and critical COVID-19: ruxolitinib and tofacitinib. Given their uncertain effects, the WHO advises against their use.