The world woke up on December 31, 2019, to the news of a new Coronavirus that brought an end to our daily lives. One of the core things that made COVID-19 unique was that it had no drug that specifically targeted its causative organism (SARS-CoV-2). Following the outbreak, vaccine & drug development became paramount as global pharmaceutical companies grappled for a lead towards this novel innovation.
They developed vaccines at an unprecedented speed. The development of an antiviral drug that targets SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) proved to be more complex. A few weeks ago, no approved drug specifically targeted the COVID-19 virus. Clinical management of COVID-19 cases has been more symptomatic than targeted. The good news is on the horizon as two pharmaceutical giants, Pfizer and MSD-Ridgeback, announced two breakthrough medications to the rescue.
Ritonavir (under the brand name PAXLOVID) is a new medication developed by Pfizer that is effective in treating COVID-19. It is currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration for commercial use. The UK government has approved the oral medication, Molnupiravir (developed by MSD- Ridgeback and sold under the brand name, LAGEVRIO) for commercial use to treat COVID-19. Vulnerable patients in the United Kingdom diagnosed with the disease will take the Molnupiravir tablet.
In clinical trials, LAGEVRIO (by MSD-Ridgeback) cuts the risk of hospitalization & death from COVID-19 by about 50%, and PAXLOVID ( by Pfizer) reduces severe disease in high-risk individuals by 89%.
They can use the LAGEVRIO commercially in the UK; Pfizer has just submitted a petition to the US Foods and Drug Administration for emergency approval of its drug PAXLOVID.
See Also: US COVID-19 Travel Restrictions: New Requirements
How Do These Antiviral Drugs Against The Covid-19 Work?
The new treatments target an enzyme that the virus uses to make copies, introducing errors into its genetic code. That would prevent it from multiplying, keeping virus levels in the body low, and reducing the severity of the disease.
Regarding The New Antiviral Drugs Against Covid-19, Here Is All You Need To Know:
- Pfizer published a paper showing that its candidate drug PAXLOVID is safe and has antiviral effects on SARS-CoV-2.
- Pfizer has mentioned that the newly developed COVID-19 reduces severe disease in high-risk individuals by 89 percent.
- They have published that the experimental COVID-19 medication decreased the likelihood of hospitalization and mortality in high-risk individuals who took part in the research.
- The results from the clinical trial were so interesting that Pfizer halted the experiment and is now prepared to petition the US Food and Drug Administration for emergency approval of the drug.
- LAGEVRIO (developed by MSD-Ridgeback) is already being used in the United Kingdom.
- Patients took Lagevrio as a pill rather than injected.
- The vulnerable patients diagnosed with the virus will take the Lagevrio tablet twice a day
- It required them to take the drug within five days of symptoms developing to be most effective.
- LAGEVRIO cuts hospitalization by 50%.
In conclusion,
With vaccination still the mainstay of prevention, these innovations are effective ways to manage those who decline vaccination and those with moderate breakthrough infections, ultimately flattening the pandemic curve. The development of these medications is a tremendous breakthrough in the global battle against COVID-19.
No Comments