Paxlovid is not recommended for patients with severe kidney or liver disease, and if given to people with uncontrolled or undiagnosed HIV infection may result in HIV drug resistance. Molnupiravir is not recommended for use during pregnancy as the drug may harm the foetus. If full vaccination with any of the COVID-19 vaccines greatly reduces … Continue reading Two COVID-19 antivirals get FDA nod for emergency use
Antiviral
Restrictive voluntary license of COVID-19 antivirals compromises access, says Leena Menghaney
On the face of it, the agreement signed between the Medicines Patent Pool and the two pharmaceutical companies Merck and Pfizer appear to be making it easy to access COVID-19 antiviral drugs molnupiravir and Paxlovid, respectively. Yet, the voluntary license restricts the countries and population that have easy access to the antivirals. It even restricts … Continue reading Restrictive voluntary license of COVID-19 antivirals compromises access, says Leena Menghaney
‘Pandemic far from over’ even as global death toll crosses five million
The global death toll from COVID-19 crossed five million on November 1 and yet the the global number of reported cases and deaths from COVID-19 is now increasing for the first time in two months. The first million deaths were recorded on September 8, 2020, nearly nine months after the first death occurred, while the two-million mark was breached three and a … Continue reading ‘Pandemic far from over’ even as global death toll crosses five million
SARS-CoV-2 virus less likely to develop resistance to molnupiravir: Gagandeep Kang
Preliminary data, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, shows molnupiravir can reduce risk of hospitalisation or death by 50% in non-hospitalised adult patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 disease. The trial included only those older than 60 years and have at least one comorbidity. On October 11, just 10 days after Merck announced via a press release … Continue reading SARS-CoV-2 virus less likely to develop resistance to molnupiravir: Gagandeep Kang
Zydus Cadila’s antiviral drug for moderate COVID-19 disease gets emergency use approval
India's drug regulator has granted an emergency use approval to Zydus Cadila’s antiviral drug ‘Virafin’ to treat moderate COVID-19 disease. In the phase-3 trial, there was a higher proportion of patients administered the drug becoming RT-PCR negative by day seven due to faster viral clearance. The Indian drug regulator on April 23 granted an emergency … Continue reading Zydus Cadila’s antiviral drug for moderate COVID-19 disease gets emergency use approval
Broad-spectrum antiviral inhibits novel coronavirus
A ribonucleoside analog (β-D-N4-hydroxycytidine or NHC) that was previously shown to be effective against influenza and Ebola is also potent against coronaviruses, including the novel coronavirus. The prodrug of NHC was found effective against 2002 SARS coronavirus and MERS. Broad-spectrum antivirals for emerging zoonotic infections become particularly important when specific interventions do not yet exist. … Continue reading Broad-spectrum antiviral inhibits novel coronavirus
Remdesivir drug has no significant clinical benefits for COVID-19 patients: Lancet
Treating severe COVID-19 patients with the antiviral drug remdesivir does not quicken recovery, the first randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial found. Although not statistically significant, those treated with the drug within 10 days of disease onset appeared to recover faster after than those patients who got a dummy. Treating severe COVID-19 patients with the antiviral drug … Continue reading Remdesivir drug has no significant clinical benefits for COVID-19 patients: Lancet
A step closer to developing a potent drug against novel coronavirus
One of the inhibitors that showed good antiviral activity against other coronaviruses was modified for enhanced antiviral activity. The inhibitor was found in the lungs even after 24 hours when inhaled, which is significant as the virus affects the lungs. Designing better antivirals that would prevent the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) from infecting human cells may … Continue reading A step closer to developing a potent drug against novel coronavirus
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