Breezy Explainer: What is Molnupiravir?, a new COVID-19 pill

A one-of-a-kind anti-viral COVID-19 pill, Molnupiravir was cleared in India for treating adults with coronavirus. Additionally, it is also approved for people “who have a high risk of progression of the diseases”. Read to know all about the COVID-19 pill.

What is Molnupiravir? How does it work?

Molnupiravir (MK-4482, EIDD-2801), initially made for treating influenza is now an oral anti-viral candidate for treating COVID-19 patients. The pull introduces errors into the genetic code of the SARS-Cov-2 virus, preventing it from replicating. Doctors are administering the drug as four 300 milligram capsules, every 12 hours for a period of five days. However, doctors are not recommending it for longer than five days.

The UK, on November 2 became the first to approve the anti-viral pill, stating it’s working as a driving force. “This prevents it from multiplying, keeping virus levels low in the body and therefore reducing the severity of the disease,” explained the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). According to the MHRA, as per “stringent review of the available evidence”, the drug is both”safe and effective”. In the UK, the drug has recommendations for people with mild to moderate infections given that they are at risk due to old age, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, or old age.

The pill was first developed by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics

On Tuesday, the Indian drug regulator cleared Molnupiravir, the first anti-viral COVID-19 pill. The pill was first developed by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, a US-based biotech company in collaboration with Merck, the US Pharma giant. The drug will soon begin manufacturing from 13 Indian drug makers. Domestic manufacturing will take place in Cipla, Optimus Pharma, Hetero, Dr. Reddy’s laboratories, etc.

Additionally, the US also cleared the drug, making it available for ‘certain adults. According to research, the drug helps in reducing symptoms, hospitalization, or even death risk. “It is not authorized for the pre-exposure or post-exposure prevention of COVID-19 or for initiation of treatment in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 because the benefit of treatment has not been observed in people when treatment started after hospitalization due to COVID-19,” explained the USFDA officials.

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