biostudies-literatureUnknown29(8)Doggrell SA<h4>Introduction</h4>Lopinavir in combination with ritonavir is approved for the treatment of HIV and has recently been subject to a clinical trial in severe COVID-19.<h4>Areas covered</h4>This evaluation is of LOTUS China (the Lopinavir Trial for Suppression of SARS-Cov-2 in China), which was a randomized trial in hospitalized subjects with COVID-9 in a respiratory sample and pneumonia. As, in severe COVID-19, lopinavir/ritonavir had no beneficial effects but increased gastrointestinal adverse effects, this combination should not be used at this stage of COVID-19.<h4>Expert opinion</h4>In my opinion, the rationale for undertaking a trial of lopinavir/ritonavir in COVID-19 was poor. The analysis of a modified intention to treat group analysis in LOTUS China may have introduced bias. After Expert opinion on investigational drugs793-796https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7441752biostudies-literatureDoes lopinavir measure up in the treatment of COVID-19?PMC7441752Doggrell SAfalseDoes lopinavir measure up in the treatment of COVID-19?<h4>Introduction</h4>Lopinavir in combination with ritonavir is approved for the treatment of HIV and has recently been subject to a clinical trial in severe COVID-19.<h4>Areas covered</h4>This evaluation is of LOTUS China (the Lopinavir Trial for Suppression of SARS-Cov-2 in China), which was a randomized trial in hospitalized subjects with COVID-9 in a respiratory sample and pneumonia. As, in severe COVID-19, lopinavir/ritonavir had no beneficial effects but increased gastrointestinal adverse effects, this combination should not be used at this stage of COVID-19.<h4>Expert opinion</h4>In my opinion, the rationale for undertaking a trial of lopinavir/ritonavir in COVID-19 was poor. The analysis of a modified intention to treat group analysis in LOTUS China may have introduced bias. After 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Aug2025-04-18T20:42:55.618Z2020-09-14T07:16:41ZS-EPMC74417523247518310.1080/13543784.2020.1777277