DRDO Developed Anti-Covid Drug Approved by DCGI for Emergency Use

The drugs regulator of the country DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) approved an anti-covid oral drug developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) for the emergency treatment of moderate to severe patients of coronavirus. There was no specific drug to treat the covid so far. But now 2-DG’s approval will work as an adjunct therapy and the drug will be utilised sideways with the primary treatment.

“DCGI has granted permission for emergency use of therapeutic application of drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients,” the DRDO, a government agency charged with the military’s research and development, said. The Ministry of Defence said that this drug can be used in treating emergency covid cases. Further, they added that this drug is a generic molecule and analogue of glucose and therefore it can be effortlessly formed and made available in plenty.

Here is all you need to know about 2-DG

• The name of the anti-covid oral drug is 2-deoxy-D glucose or 2-DG. The drug is developed by the DRDO, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.
• The drug will assist in the treatment of Covid-19 patients who have severe symptoms.
• The drug is effective and makes sure that patients do not require any oxygen supplement and assist in faster recovery. The drug is also beneficial for elder patients, aged more than 65 years.
• DRDO scientist Dr Anant Narayan Bhatt told ANI that the drug is expected to be effective on different variants also.
• The drug can be formed in high quantities in the country as it is a generic module and analogue of glucose.

How does it work?

The drug comes in powder form in the sachet. Oral consumption by dissolving it in water is recommended. The drug works by accumulating in the affected virus cells and breaks the development of the virus. It halts viral synthesis and energy production. Its accumulation in the selective infected cells adds up to its uniqueness.

Patients treated with the drug showed negative results in the reports in a higher proportion. Going in line with the efficacy trend, the patients treated with the drug recovered faster and did not require any supplemental oxygen. As per the ministry, the drug is of enormous benefits for Covid patients.

India and COVID crisis

The ongoing second Covid-19 wave is quite distressing as the number of cases is consistently escalating. India recorded 3,66,161 fresh Covid-19 cases and 3,754 deaths. Some of the states like Maharashtra mark a drop in the cases on Monday since the end of March month. Amid the pandemic, the country is also facing an acute shortage of medical oxygen, beds, and medicines. The introduction of the drug gives a ray of positivity to the patients and the citizens.

Footnote

The 2-DG drug is an effective way to decrease the distressing symptoms from the Covid patients and assist them in faster recovery. The initiation of the drug is surely sighing relief to the patients. Always remember that prevention is better than cure! Make sure to register yourself for the vaccination and get vaccinated as soon as you can. Until then, keep on following the safety protocols and stay home, stay safe!