COULD THIS BE THE CURE?

As the world continues the search for better ways to bend the curve for the novel coronavirus infections, several drugs have been tested, and several vaccines have started clinical trials. The drugs include some flue treatments and old malaria drugs.

The oral antiviral drug known as EIDD-2801 has registered some levels of success in test-tube experiments. Previously, remdesivir had shown some success in stopping the replication of coronavirus; however, the EIDD-2801 appears to be more successful. The drug introduces genetic mutations to the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2. As the RNA continues to replicate, the damaging mutations are repeated until the virus is unable to infect more cells of the host. This drug could also be a multipurpose antiviral as it can infect a variety of RNA viruses. One notable advantage of the EIDD-2801 drug is that it can be administered orally as a pill, unlike the redemsivir, which requires an IV. The drug has already been approved by the FDA and is set to begin human trials over the next couple of months. Could this be the magical drug? Well, time will tell.

Drug attempts efforts are not only in the U. S, but different companies and government-funded research bodies all over the world are also engaged in looking for a safe and effective cure. An influenza drug known as favipiravir or Avigan has also been tested in Japan. The drug works by shortening the life span of the virus in the body. The X-rays of patients under this drug demonstrated improved lung conditions. (the information about the japan flu drug has not yet been peer-reviewed).

Chloroquine, an antimalarial drug, has also shown some success in laboratory experiments against COVID-19; however, the drug is yet to undergo an FDA approved clinical trial for it to be approved.