Therapeutic options for the treatment of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: a scoping review

Abstract Objectives This scoping review aimed to summarize the available studies to address the question of which therapeutic agents can be utilized for patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Methods We conducted a systematic search in medical databases, including PubMed and Embase, f...

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Main Authors: Yu Bin Seo, Yu Jung Choi, Jun-Won Seo, Eun Jung Kim, Jacob Lee, Joon Young Song
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Infectious Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11131-x
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author Yu Bin Seo
Yu Jung Choi
Jun-Won Seo
Eun Jung Kim
Jacob Lee
Joon Young Song
author_facet Yu Bin Seo
Yu Jung Choi
Jun-Won Seo
Eun Jung Kim
Jacob Lee
Joon Young Song
author_sort Yu Bin Seo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objectives This scoping review aimed to summarize the available studies to address the question of which therapeutic agents can be utilized for patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Methods We conducted a systematic search in medical databases, including PubMed and Embase, for studies aligned with our objectives published between January 1, 2020, and July 22, 2024. For each study, we summarized the main symptoms targeted, study design, therapeutic regimens, evaluation tools, and clinical outcomes. Results A total of 413 studies were identified, and 39 studies were included in this review based on relevance to the research objectives. We primarily focused on high-level evidence studies, such as meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials, but observational studies were included when evidence was scarce. Therapeutic agents evaluated included hyperbaric oxygen, ivermectin, metformin, naltrexone, micronutrient supplements, antifibrotic agents, antiviral agents, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Among these, hyperbaric oxygen, antifibrotic agents, antiviral agents, and SSRIs demonstrated promising results. However, the heterogeneity of PASC symptoms posed challenges in synthesizing findings for specific symptom-based outcomes. Conclusion Given the heterogeneity of symptoms, this review highlights the need for standardized and targeted research to better address the diverse therapeutic needs of patients with PASC. Clinical Trial Not applicable.
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series BMC Infectious Diseases
spelling doaj-art-5fe4bcb69d174f669d03c3bac70077eb2025-08-20T03:48:18ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342025-05-0125111010.1186/s12879-025-11131-xTherapeutic options for the treatment of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: a scoping reviewYu Bin Seo0Yu Jung Choi1Jun-Won Seo2Eun Jung Kim3Jacob Lee4Joon Young Song5Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of MedicineDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of MedicineDepartments of Internal Medicine, Chosun University College of MedicineHealth, Welfare, Family and Gender Equality Team, National Assembly Research ServiceDivision of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of MedicineDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of MedicineAbstract Objectives This scoping review aimed to summarize the available studies to address the question of which therapeutic agents can be utilized for patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Methods We conducted a systematic search in medical databases, including PubMed and Embase, for studies aligned with our objectives published between January 1, 2020, and July 22, 2024. For each study, we summarized the main symptoms targeted, study design, therapeutic regimens, evaluation tools, and clinical outcomes. Results A total of 413 studies were identified, and 39 studies were included in this review based on relevance to the research objectives. We primarily focused on high-level evidence studies, such as meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials, but observational studies were included when evidence was scarce. Therapeutic agents evaluated included hyperbaric oxygen, ivermectin, metformin, naltrexone, micronutrient supplements, antifibrotic agents, antiviral agents, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Among these, hyperbaric oxygen, antifibrotic agents, antiviral agents, and SSRIs demonstrated promising results. However, the heterogeneity of PASC symptoms posed challenges in synthesizing findings for specific symptom-based outcomes. Conclusion Given the heterogeneity of symptoms, this review highlights the need for standardized and targeted research to better address the diverse therapeutic needs of patients with PASC. Clinical Trial Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11131-xPASCLong COVIDPost-acute COVID-19 syndromeTherapeutic agents
spellingShingle Yu Bin Seo
Yu Jung Choi
Jun-Won Seo
Eun Jung Kim
Jacob Lee
Joon Young Song
Therapeutic options for the treatment of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: a scoping review
BMC Infectious Diseases
PASC
Long COVID
Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome
Therapeutic agents
title Therapeutic options for the treatment of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: a scoping review
title_full Therapeutic options for the treatment of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: a scoping review
title_fullStr Therapeutic options for the treatment of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: a scoping review
title_full_unstemmed Therapeutic options for the treatment of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: a scoping review
title_short Therapeutic options for the treatment of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: a scoping review
title_sort therapeutic options for the treatment of post acute sequelae of covid 19 a scoping review
topic PASC
Long COVID
Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome
Therapeutic agents
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11131-x
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