The United Kingdom has approved the first orally administered drug to treat Covid-19 at home.
Molnupiravir sold under the brand name Lagevrio is developed by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), and works by inhibiting the replication of the Covid-19 virus in the body.
Molnupiravir is reportedly effective when administered at the early stages of Covid-19 infection; within 5 days of the patient showing symptoms of the virus. It is also applicable to vulnerable patients with at least one risk factor (60 years and above, diabetes, heart disease & obesity) for severe complications.
Molnupiravir, the newly approved drug for Covid-19 which is in pill form, will be taken twice a day, rather than the current Covid vaccines which are injected or given intravenously.