Potential Pharmacologic Treatments for COVID-19 Smell and Taste Loss: A Comprehensive Review

Overview

Journal Eur J Pharmacol

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 2021 Oct 22

PMID 34678243

Citations 25

Authors

Elnaz Khani

Sajad Khiali

Samineh Beheshtirouy

Taher Entezari-Maleki

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The acute loss of taste and smell following COVID-19 are hallmark symptoms that affect 20-85% of patients. However, the pathophysiology and potential treatments of COVID-19 smell and taste loss are not fully understood. We searched the literature to review the potential pathologic pathways and treatment options for COVID-19 smell and taste loss. The interaction of novel coronavirus with ACE-2 receptors expressed on sustentacular cells and taste buds results in direct damage to the olfactory and gustatory systems. Also, the invasion of the virus to the olfactory neurons and consequent local inflammation are other proposed mechanisms. Therefore, COVID-19 patients with smell or taste loss may benefit from neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, or depolarizing agents. Based on the current evidence, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, insulin, and corticosteroids can be promising for the management of COVID-19 smell and taste loss. This review provided crucial information for treating COVID-19-related smell and/or taste loss, urging to perform large clinical trials to find optimum treatment options.

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