Arbidol combined with the Chinese medicine Lianhuaqingwen capsule versus arbidol alone in the treatment of COVID-19

To evaluate the antiviral effect and safety of arbidol and Lianhuaqingwen Capsule (LH) in treating patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 108 patients with COVID-19 were divided into 2 groups, including 40 patients in the arbidol group and 68 patients in the arbidol + LH group. Patients in the arbidol + LH group received 200 mg of arbidol and 1400 mg of LH per 8 hour, and the arbidol group was given 200 mg arbidol per 8 hour. Blood routine examination, blood biochemistry detection, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection, and chest CT scans were performed to evaluate the clinical effects between the 2 groups. No statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of preoperative characteristics including the baseline characteristics, laboratory indicators, and chest CT. On day 7 after admission, patients in the arbidol + LH group showed a higher level of Lymphocytes count, and a lower level of serum amyloid A and C-reactive protein levels (P < .05). Moreover, the median time from admission to the first negative result of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection was shorter in the arbidol + LH group (P < .05). Analysis based on CT scan results showed a better extinction of lung inflammation in the arbidol + LH group. No apparent side effects were found in both groups. No patients were transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. Arbidol combined with LH treatment may be more effective in improving the prognosis and accelerating the SARS-CoV-2 clearance in patients with COVID-19.