Oral anti-Covid drugs: What are these?

Science has produced, finally, oral drugs that provide promising results against Coronavirus Disease (Covid).

Molnupiravir and Paxlovid are two new oral anti Covid drugs that reduce the risk of hospitalization among Covid patients with mild and moderate infection.

Molnupiravir reduces the multiplication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid, in our body by altering the virus’ genetic material, causing disintegration of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) leading to viral death. The drug can be used to treat adults with mild and moderate Covid who are at high risk of developing severe Covid infection.

This group at risk for developing severe Covid is composed of patients with comorbidities due to diseases like diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart and lung problem etc.

To maximize the effect of Molnupiravir, it should be given as soon as possible after the diagnosis of Covid. Ideally the drug should be given within 5 days from the onset of symptoms.

Molnupiravir reduces the risk of hospitalization and death by 50% for Covid patients with mild and moderate disease especially those patients with co-morbidities at risk for disease progression.

Most common side effects of this drug are diarrhea, nausea and headache, all of which were mild or moderate. However, this drug is not yet recommended for pregnant women.

Breastfeeding should be temporarily stopped during treatment and can only be resumed 4 days after the completion of treatment.

On the other hand, Paxlovid is another oral anti Covid drug. It is manufactured by Pfizer. It has antiviral component called PF-07321332 and ritonavir. It stops SARS-CoV-2 multiplication in our body by inhibiting viral RNA replication. 

Paxlovid reduces the risk of hospitalization and death by 89% for patients with mild and moderate Covid.

Like Molnupiravir, Paxlovid can be taken orally. This means that this drug can be taken at home and there is no need for a patient to be confined in a hospital or a treatment facility.

Timing is also important. The drug should be given as soon as possible after the diagnosis of Covid, ideally within 3 days of the onset of symptoms.

As the old adage says, an ounce of prevention is still better than a pound of cure, these two drugs are not a substitute for Covid vaccination; instead, they are just additional layers of protection against the disease. Let us then welcome Molnupiravir and Paxlovid.