The SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged in December 2019 and spread rapidly worldwide. Scientists are searching for antivirals to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Several drugs, including chloroquine, arbidol, remdesivir, and favipiravir, are undergoing clinical trials. This article summarizes potential agents against SARS-CoV-2. The National Health Commission of China has included several antivirals in its guidelines for treating COVID-19, including interferon α, lopinavir/ritonavir, chloroquine phosphate, ribavirin, and arbidol. The guidelines have been revised multiple times, with the latest edition issued on February 18, 2020. The recommended dosages and administration methods for these drugs are provided. IFN-α is used for inhalation, lopinavir/ritonavir is taken orally, chloroquine phosphate is taken orally, and arbidol is taken orally. The treatment duration is no more than 10 days. IFN-α is a broad-spectrum antiviral, lopinavir/ritonavir is used for HIV, ribavirin is a nucleoside analogue, chloroquine is an antimalarial with antiviral activity, and arbidol is an antiviral for influenza. Favipiravir, a new RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor, is being tested for treating COVID-19 and showed promising results in clinical trials. Remdesivir, a nucleoside analogue, is also being tested and has shown antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Other potential drugs include darunavir, TMPRSS2 inhibitors, and imatinib. A joint research team identified 30 agents with potential antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. These include drugs and traditional Chinese medicines. Scientists worldwide are actively exploring drugs to combat COVID-19, but no specific antivirals have been confirmed. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of these drugs.The SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged in December 2019 and spread rapidly worldwide. Scientists are searching for antivirals to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Several drugs, including chloroquine, arbidol, remdesivir, and favipiravir, are undergoing clinical trials. This article summarizes potential agents against SARS-CoV-2. The National Health Commission of China has included several antivirals in its guidelines for treating COVID-19, including interferon α, lopinavir/ritonavir, chloroquine phosphate, ribavirin, and arbidol. The guidelines have been revised multiple times, with the latest edition issued on February 18, 2020. The recommended dosages and administration methods for these drugs are provided. IFN-α is used for inhalation, lopinavir/ritonavir is taken orally, chloroquine phosphate is taken orally, and arbidol is taken orally. The treatment duration is no more than 10 days. IFN-α is a broad-spectrum antiviral, lopinavir/ritonavir is used for HIV, ribavirin is a nucleoside analogue, chloroquine is an antimalarial with antiviral activity, and arbidol is an antiviral for influenza. Favipiravir, a new RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor, is being tested for treating COVID-19 and showed promising results in clinical trials. Remdesivir, a nucleoside analogue, is also being tested and has shown antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Other potential drugs include darunavir, TMPRSS2 inhibitors, and imatinib. A joint research team identified 30 agents with potential antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. These include drugs and traditional Chinese medicines. Scientists worldwide are actively exploring drugs to combat COVID-19, but no specific antivirals have been confirmed. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of these drugs.