COVID Pill
New Pill Shows Promising Results as COVID-19 Treatment
It may seem like it’s been a lifetime, but the entire world has gathered a plethora of COVID-19 virus information and research. Now, we are finally getting somewhere!
If you’ve ever had the flu, you may have been prescribed Tamiflu. Tamiflu is an antiviral pill-based treatment for the flu, which attacks the flu virus directly when you take the pill twice daily over the course of five days.
If you test positive for COVID-19, studies are hoping this pill could be a promising at-home treatment option to remove the virus. We have hope for the first-ever oral antiviral drug to treat COVID-19.
About the Coronavirus Pill Treatment Study (Phase 2)
Pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. and biotechnology partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics announced preliminary results from Ridgeback’s Phase 2a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. This trial involves a drug named molnupiravir and evaluates the safety, tolerability, and efficacy to eliminate SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. Originally, molnupiravir was intended to treat influenza.
There are 202 participants involved in the study. All participants tested positive for COVID-19 within the past seven days and were not hospitalized. Just days after, they were given another nasal swab, which showed a reduction to the negativity of infectious virus isolation from the symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Not one person showed any sign of Coronavirus in their system after the five-day treatment plan. However, 24% of those who took the placebo still showed the virus in their system.
COVID-19 Pill Phase 1 Trial on Ferrets
In December of 2020, the study was performed on ferrets. Within just 24 hours of the infected ferrets being given molnupiravir orally, the drug completely blocked the transmission of the virus between ferrets.
How the COVID-19 Pill Works
Similar to Tamiflu, this pill is taken twice daily at home and over the course of five days. This would stop the virus in its tracks and keep the virus from reproducing, which would drastically lessen the chances of worsened symptoms and remove the virus COMPLETELY.
The next step of the process is moving onto a larger Phase 3 trial. Once Phase 3 is complete, the CDC and HHS will review the findings of the study to determine the approval status. If all goes well, the pill could become available as soon as four or five months.
Prevent Yourself from COVID-19
Now, we have vaccines that can help lessen symptoms and the spread of the Coronavirus, and this new pill shows a huge sign of hope and a light at the end of the tunnel. However, neither of these resources and medical advances actually protect against the virus. This means we must continue to practice the same health and safety protocols that have been in place over the past year.
- Wear a KN95 face mask
- Wash your hands regularly
- Practice social distancing
- Stay home if you feel sick
Shop DEFEN95 Protective Face Masks
DEFEN95 is an international medical supplier, which allows us to have high-quality PPE always ready to ship. KN95 face masks are a great alternative to N95 face masks and offer the same level of protection. They are readily available to the general public and can be purchased directly on our website.
For more COVID-19 information, check the FDA or CDC website.
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