2DG Medicine Launch- Drugs for broken SARS-CoV-2 have been wreaked havoc in most parts of the world, including India. DRDO scientists have created this anti-covid drug called 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan launched the first batch (10,000 doses) of this medicine.
Research has been underway since last year on the effects of Covid-19 on all drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, ivermectin, but 2DG is the first drug to be called an anti-covid drug. Let’s know everything about it.
2DG: Who Made, Who Will Produce?
2DG has been developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS). Researchers from Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratory (DRL) also contribute to this. Only DRL will make this medicine for the general public. This medicine will be available in the form of a powder.
Last year, when the first wave of Covid-19 started in India, INMAS scientists started working on it. In May 2020, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) approved the Phase 2 trial on Covid patients of this drug. The trial lasted till October.
The trial revealed that the drug Covid is safe for patients and also helps in recovery. Following the results, DCGI approved the Phase 3 trial in November 2020. Ultimately, on 9 May 2021, DCGI approved the emergency use of this drug based on trial data.
2DG is actually an altered form of the 2DG molecule that treats tumors, cancer cells. It was found in the trial that not only is 2DG Covid effective in treating patients, the admission in the hospital also reduces the dependence of patients on oxygen.
Currently, permission has been given to use this medicine like secondary medicine. That is, it will be used in support of primary medicine. This drug is largely like glucose, but not glucose. The virus starts making its copies as soon as it reaches the body, for this it needs strength which meets glucose.
When given this medicine, the virus will take this glucose analog and get trapped in it. The result will be that the virus will not be able to make its copies, that is, its growth will stop.
Will this drug stop every variant of Covid-19?
According to Dr. Anil Mishra, director of INMAS, 2DG captures the virus that makes up its copy. That is, if there is any variant of the virus, he will need to eat it and as soon as he moves to satisfy his hunger, this medicine will trap him.
According to Dr. Mishra, after taking this medicine, the demand for oxygen increases as the virus rapidly multiplies. Once that process is stopped, the crisis of oxygen will also end.
2DG: What will be the dose? What is the price?
According to INMAS scientist Dr. Sudhir Chandna, this drug will be available as a sachet. Just as you dissolve and drink ORS in water, you will also be able to take it by mixing it with water. He said that this medicine would have to be taken twice a day. Covid-19 patients may need to be given this medicine for 5 to 7 days for complete recovery.
Nothing has been said about the price yet. According to Dr. Chandana, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratory will take a decision in this regard. Although he said that the drug should be affordable, it would be taken care of. According to sources, the price of a sachet can be between 500 and 600 rupees.
When will 2DG medicine arrive? Are there any side effects?
The drug has become available to the general public as soon as it is launched on 17 May. Its production is being increased rapidly so that it can reach more and more patients.
When asked about the side effects, Dr. Chandana said that during the trial, the normal and serious patients were given this medicine. All patients benefited from this drug, no adverse effects were seen on any. According to him, it can be said that this drug has no side effects.
