WHO Updates Clinical Recommendations for COVID-19 Therapy
The WHO recommends baricitinib and sotrovimab for specific COVID-19 cases while advising against other medications.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Arthritis
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On January 14, 2022, the World Health Organization released updated guidance on COVID-19 treatments, recommending the use of baricitinib and sotrovimab for specific patient populations. These recommendations aim to provide standardized therapeutic approaches for clinicians managing severe to mild cases of the virus.
Why it matters
The guidelines help healthcare providers distinguish between therapies that suppress immune overstimulation in severe cases and those that target mild infection in high-risk groups. By vetting these treatments, the organization clarifies how existing medications, originally designed for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, may be repurposed to manage COVID-19.
These clinical recommendations are based on an analysis of seven clinical trials involving over 4,000 patients. While the efficacy data supports these therapeutic choices, the guidelines note that the global supply and access for these specific medications remain subject to ongoing negotiations.
The players
World Health Organization
An international agency responsible for coordinating global public health and establishing clinical treatment guidelines.
The details
Baricitinib acts as a Janus kinase inhibitor, which suppresses the overstimulation of the immune system that can occur in severe or critical COVID-19 cases; it is intended to be administered alongside corticosteroids. Sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody, is utilized to target the virus in patients with mild or moderate symptoms who are at high risk of hospitalization. Conversely, the analysis led the agency to issue a conditional recommendation against the use of ruxolitinib and tofacitinib.
Timeline
July 2021: The organization recommended Interleukin-6 receptor blockers for treatment.
September 2021: The organization issued recommendations for casirivimab-imdevimab.
January 14, 2022: The organization issued official recommendations for baricitinib and sotrovimab.
Health Landscape
These updates mark the eighth revision of the WHO living guidelines on COVID-19 therapeutics, reflecting the ongoing effort to integrate new evidence into established protocols. The guidance continues to evolve as clinicians move from experimental approaches toward standardized, evidence-based care for different stages of the disease.
These guidelines clarify which medications are supported by clinical evidence for specific COVID-19 symptom profiles. If you are managing chronic health conditions or are at high risk for severe illness, these standards are important to discuss with your physician when considering treatment options.
The takeaway
The WHO's guidance highlights the importance of relying on clinical trial data to determine which medications effectively manage COVID-19 infection levels. Patients should consult their primary care physician to understand how these treatment standards might apply to their specific medical history.
Further reading
For more on managing autoimmune conditions and related therapies, visit Arthritis.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Who.
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