Launch Of New Antiviral Against COVID-19

2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) – Launch of new antiviral against COVID-19.

A new drug developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in association with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd has been launched following approval for emergency use in the treatment of Covid-19 patients by the Drug Control General of India (DCGI).

This drug is only available in India and there is no data from any other country regarding its use in COVID-19 patients.

This drug called 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) is a glucose molecule that has been modified. This drug is taken up by the virus and collects inside virus cells and prevents its replication.

This drug has not undergone a detailed clinical trial at present that’s why it has been granted not routine approval but emergency approval. Limited trial data has shown that it hastens the recovery of hospitalized patients with COVID and reduces oxygen dependence.

Most of the evidence for the molecule efficacy has come from laboratory data rather than its uses in COVID -19 patients. In the viral cell lines in the lab, it was found that they inhibited cell growth.

The drug comes in powder form in the sachet and is taken orally by dissolving it in water. This drug will be available only on prescription and only for hospitalized patients. The drug most likely will be available for use by mid-June.

We need to remember that in the last year many anti-viral and other medications came into the market to be used against COVID -19 including – hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin, doxycycline, and azithromycin. None of these medicines were found to have any significant effect on COVD-19 patients in human trials.

Unless we have data of efficacy and safety which comes from a large clinical trial done on patients with COVID-19 patients, it will be difficult to conclude its final role in the fight against COVID-19.

Dr. Rakesh Rai.

MS, FRCS, MD, CCST, ASTS Fellow (USA).