Molnupiravir: The first oral treatment for Covid-19

The race for an effective COVID cure is going on and the good news is that the first oral antiviral treatment is out in the market. Known as Molnupiravir, it has been manufactured by Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD), along with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. Recently, the UK drug regulator has approved the use of this oral drug for the treatment of COVID-19. According to recent reports, several countries across Asia Pacific region like New Zealand, Australia and South Korea have already signed deals to obtain it, while countries like India are now rushing to place bulk orders. 

What one should know about Molnupiravir 
As already mentioned, Molnupiravir is the first ever oral treatment against Covid-19 virus. According to its manufacturers, this drug is effective when a person gets mildly or moderately affected by coronavirus. The dosage will include four 200 milligram courses of this medicine, twice a day for a period of five days. A patient needs to consume a total of 40 pills to avoid hospitalization and recover from home. While vaccines initiate immune response, this drug will provide resistance and stop the virus from replicating.  

The capsule is seen as a positive measure in battling this life-threatening virus. However, experts have warned not to rely too much on this medicine and still get vaccinated, as it still offers the best protection.  

What were the results of the clinical trial? 
Even though the manufacturing company Merck is yet to get authorization for the drug’s emergency use, certain clinical trials have already been conducted by them. Over 700 unvaccinated Covid-19 affected patients were given this antiviral pill, as per the above-mentioned course, as part of their Interim Phase III of the trial. The results released reveals that Molnupiravir has reduced risk of both hospitalization and fatality by more than 50 percent. The diagnosed patients were all given the drug within five days of the arrival of the symptoms. None of the patients had succumbed. In fact, within 29 days, they showed signs of 80 per cent recovery. Nonetheless, this antiviral pill offers a ray of hope and can emerge as one of the most potent weapons against coronavirus.