Efficacy

Efficacy of Veklury (Remdesivir) for COVID-19

Veklury, known by its generic name remdesivir, is an antiviral medication that has been approved for use in the treatment of COVID-19 in patients requiring hospitalization. Its efficacy was first noted in a landmark study by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which found that remdesivir shortened the time to recovery in adults hospitalized with COVID-19. Subsequent studies have supported these findings, indicating that remdesivir can reduce the severity of the disease in hospitalized patients, particularly when administered early in the course of infection. However, it is important to note that remdesivir is not a cure for COVID-19, and its benefits are most pronounced in a specific subset of patients.

Remdesivir works by inhibiting the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. This antiviral activity is believed to stem from its ability to interfere with the viral RNA polymerase enzyme, thus halting viral replication within host cells. While remdesivir has been shown to be effective in reducing the duration of hospital stays, its impact on mortality rates has been less clear, with some studies showing a reduction in death rates and others finding no significant effect on survival.

Efficacy of Lagevrio (Molnupiravir) for COVID-19

Lagevrio, also known as molnupiravir, is an oral antiviral medication that has been authorized for emergency use in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at risk for progressing to severe disease. Molnupiravir works by introducing errors into the viral RNA, thereby preventing the virus from replicating effectively. Clinical trials have demonstrated that molnupiravir can reduce the risk of hospitalization or death in non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 when treatment is initiated within five days of symptom onset.

The efficacy of molnupiravir has been particularly noteworthy in unvaccinated individuals and those with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. However, it is crucial to understand that the use of molnupiravir is not recommended for patients who are hospitalized due to COVID-19 or those requiring oxygen therapy due to COVID-19, as the benefits in these populations have not been established. Additionally, molnupiravir is not authorized for use in patients younger than 18 years of age because it may affect bone and cartilage growth.