First COVID -19 antiviral oral drug
Britain authorizes Merck’s Molnupiravir,
the world’s first approval of oral covid-19 treatment pill. The drug is waiting
for FDA review and approval.
Britain became the first country in the
world to approve a potentially game-changing Covid-19 antiviral pill jointly
developed by US drugmaker Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, in a
boost to the fight against the pandemic.
A study of molnupiravir slashed the
risk of hospitalization or death by 50% when given to nonhospitalized adult
patients who tested positive for COVID-19, according to Merck.
Who to prescribe?
Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommended the drug:
Molnupiravir, for treatment
of mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults with a
positive SARS-COV-2 diagnostic test and who have at least ONE risk
factor for developing severe illness. Such risk factors include obesity,
older age (>60 years), diabetes mellitus, or heart disease.
How to prescribe?
The Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommended the drug, molnupiravir 800 mg (four
200 mg capsules) taken orally, to be used as soon as possible following a
positive Covid-19 test twice a day for 5 days, starting within 5 days of the
onset of symptoms.
The Directorate General of Drug
Administration (DGDA) of Bangladesh has granted some local pharmaceutical
companies approval for the production and marketing of molnupiravir, the
first-ever Covid-19 pill.
Covid-19 pills are no substitute for vaccines and will not prevent
the Coronavirus disease.
Source
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/11/04/covid19-pill-merck-molnupiravir-approval-uk/
Note: For informational purposes only. Consult your
textbook for advising your patients.
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