The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) approved this Wednesday (4) the emergency use of the drug molnupiravir for the treatment of Covid-19.
The antiviral, developed by the company Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), has shown, in clinical trials, beneficial effects to mild and moderate adult patients, with the ability to reduce hospitalizations and deaths.
The drug should be used orally, at home and under medical prescription. Its composition helps reduce the chances of the virus to multiply and reproduce in the human body.
In use in 17 countries, molnupiravir has been approved by regulatory agencies in the United States, Europe, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Although the drug is an advance as a therapy for certain clinical conditions caused by the coronavirus, Anvisa director Meiruze Freitas warns that molnupiravir does not replace the vaccine.
Recommendation
According to the agency, the drug is indicated to treat Covid-19 in adults who do not require supplemental oxygen, who are at increased risk of disease progression to severe cases and whose alternative treatment options approved or authorized by Anvisa are not accessible or clinically appropriate.
Molnupiravir should be used for the first five days after symptoms appear and should be limited to five consecutive days.
Contraindications
The regulatory agency contraindicates the use of the drug in the following cases:
- Patients under 18 years of age;
- pregnant women; lactating women or those trying to become pregnant;
- Treatment in patients requiring hospitalization, as its benefits have not been observed in individuals when treatment is started after hospitalization;
- Use for more than five consecutive days;
- Pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for Covid-19 prevention.
Source: CNN Brasil
