What is Antiviral Drug Molnupiravir? How And When To Use?

Antiviral Drug Molnupiravir For COVID-19: In an emergency authorisation, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) under India's drug regulator has allowed the use of Molnupiravir, an anti-viral drug for COVID-19 patients and two vaccines Serum Institute of India's Covovax and Biological E's Corbevax. 

The approval was given on an emergency basis under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), which falls under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The announcement on Twitter was made by the Minister for Health Dr Mansukh Mandaviya. These recommendations by CDSCO has been sent to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for final approval.

According to ANI reports, the new vaccines might be used as booster shots in the coming days. The urgent passing of these drugs comes at the time when the new variant of coronavirus, Omicron, is on a rise. Most countries across the globe have been affected by the new variant, including India. Since booster dose is been seen as a possible solution to lessen the impact of Omicron, doctors and medical staff have been urging the government to provide the booster dose to frontline workers.

Suggested Reading: Emergency Approval To Vaccines Covovax & Corbevax and Anti-viral drug Molnupiravir

Amongst the vaccines and drugs approved is Molnupiravir, which is an easy-to-use anti-viral drug for home usage by coronavirus infected patients with mild to moderate symptoms. However, its approval is restricted to emergency use only.

Antiviral Drug Molnupiravir For COVID-19

As per reports, this drug can be used by adults, who are infected with the coronavirus. But the patient needs to have 93 percent oxygen levels in the blood. It can also be used in cases of high risk of progression of the virus which includes hospitalisation or death and is subject to conditions.

The anti-viral drug was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, to treat COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms. Even the UK, in November, granted usage of Merck's Molnupiravir for treatment but under conditional authorisation.

The pill can reportedly be taken twice a day by the patients at home. But not more than five days. It can be taken with the start of symptoms like cough, headache, fever, loss of smell and taste, muscle and body aches. The intake of the drug has to be administered as four 200 milligram capsules and needs to be taken orally every 12 hours for five days as per reports.

According to the clinical trial of the pills when used by high-risk patients, Merck's drug showed a reduction in hospitalisation and death by around 30 percent. However, the pill cannot be taken by people below the age of 18 and children as it interferes with bone growth. It cannot be taken by pregnant women either as it may cause birth defects.

The antiviral drug is expected to work against Omicron as they do not target the spike protein, where most of the variant's mutation lies. Earlier in the year, pharma giant Cipla entered into a non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreement with Merck Sharpe Dohme (MSD) to manufacture and supply Molnupiravir in India. More information on the drug is still awaited.