Molnupiravir is an oral antiviral agent for treating mild to moderate COVID-19 illness in patients at higher risk of developing severe illness. Its effects can be highlighted as-

• Molnupiravir is an antiviral agent that impedes duplication of SARS CoV-2
• It has been licenced for treating adults with confirmed mild to moderate COVID-19 and having at least one risk factor for developing severe illness
• Its recommended dosage is 800mg twice daily, given for five days, orally.
• A phase 3 trial involving individuals with confirmed mild or moderate COVID-19, having symptom onset within five days of enrolment and possessing at least one risk factor for severe COVID-19, the rate of hospital admission or death within 29 days was reduced to 7.3% with molnupiravir than 14.1% with placebo.
• Furthermore, in a subsequent analysis, the rate of hospitalisation or death within 29 days was found to be reduced to 6.8% with molnupiravir than 9.7% with placebo.
• However, this trial excluded Patients who were in hospital or likely to be admitted within 48 hours.
• The occurrence of adverse effects was similar to placebo; with the commonest being mild to moderate diarrhoea, nausea, dizziness and headache.

Source- Prescriber, 2022;33(1):24-26. https://doi.org/10.1002/psb.1963