The US Food & drug administration has approved the emergency use of Merck’s Anti Covid drug (Molnupiravir), which is used to treat adults with mild to moderate infection with the Covid-19 virus, and who are at risk of serious complications, this comes after the approval of another antiviral drug produced by Pfizer.
While Pfizer drug is approved for use by anyone over the age of 12, Merck is only approved for use in adults over 18.
Merck had submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration for approval of its anti covid drug in October of this year, and data showed that the effectiveness of this drug in reducing the number of cases requiring hospitalization due to the Coronavirus was up to 30%, and animal studies showed that the use of this drug may harm an unborn baby and therefore it is not recommended for use by pregnant women, and it can only be used if the doctor determines that its benefits outweigh the potential risks.
Women whose doctor recommends Merck’s new anti covid drug must use an effective method of contraception for the duration of treatment and 4 days after the last dose.
