Likewise, baricitinib “has the same effects” as interleukin 6 antagonists and should be administered to the same type of patient.
“When both are available” it is necessary to choose which of the two to use “based on cost, availability and the experience of health professionals,” said the WHO experts.
Baricitinib belongs to a family of drugs called “Janus kinase inhibitors” and is used against rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease.
However, the other drugs in this family (ruxolitinib and tofacitinib) should not be used against COVID, the specialists considered, due to a lack of data on their efficacy or side effects.
The WHO regularly updates its recommendations for COVID treatments, based on clinical trials carried out with different types of patients.
However, the therapeutic arsenal continues to be reduced. In recent months, the WHO has rejected the use of various treatments: the injection of plasma from patients cured of COVID-19, ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine.