Manama, December 23 (BNA) Today, Thursday, health regulators in the United States authorized the second pill against Covid-19, to provide another easy-to-use drug to fight the rising tide of omicron infection.
The Food and Drug Administration’s authorization of molnopiravir from Merck comes a day after the agency gave up a competing drug from Pfizer.
That pill, Baxlovid, is likely to become the first choice for treatment against the virus, thanks to its superior benefits and moderate side effects.
As a result, Merck’s tablets are expected to have a smaller role against the pandemic than was expected just a few weeks ago.
Its ability to avoid severe COVID-19 is much lower than initially announced and the drug label will warn of serious safety issues, including the potential for birth defects.
The US Food and Drug Administration has allowed Merck to be used by adults with early symptoms of COVID-19 who are at the highest risk of hospitalization, including the elderly and those with conditions such as obesity and heart disease.
The UK first allowed the pill to be taken in early November.
Merck’s drug is known as molopiravir, and carries a warning against its use during pregnancy. The FDA said that women of childbearing age should use contraception during treatment and for a few days afterward while men should use contraception for at least three months after the final dose.
The restrictions were expected after an advisory panel from the Food and Drug Administration endorsed the drug just last month, warning that its use should be strictly tailored to patients who could benefit most.
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