Probenecid inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in vivo and in vitro
Jackelyn Murray, Robert J. Hogan, David E. Martin, Kathy Blahunka, Fred D. Sancilio, Rajiv Balyan, Mark Lovern, Richard Still, Ralph A. Tripp
Abstract
Abstract Effective vaccines are slowing the COVID-19 pandemic, but SARS-CoV-2 will likely remain an issue in the future making it important to have therapeutics to treat patients. There are few options for treating patients with COVID-19. We show probenecid potently blocks SARS-CoV-2 replication in mammalian cells and virus replication in a hamster model. Furthermore, we demonstrate that plasma concentrations up to 50-fold higher than the protein binding adjusted IC 90 value are achievable for 24 h following a single oral dose. These data support the potential clinical utility of probenecid to control SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans.