Molnupiravir – the new weapon against COVID

Molnupiravir is an antiviral drug, developed by the pharmaceutical firm Merck. It is said that it can reduce the hospitalizations by half in people who have been infected with COVID-19. This could make treatment much more available, easier, and cheaper, while keeping hospitals from overflowing.

iStock.com/Phyushkin

The efficacy of this drug is still not clear, with many studies reporting conflicting results.

The treatment plan for COVID-19 with Molnupiravir is to take eight pills per day for five days, between three and five days after symptoms start appearing.

Tens of other coronavirus drugs are in development. Molnupiravir is just the first one, that has reached such a stage of development.