DRDO’s 2-DG drug approved for COVID patients. All you need to know

The Drugs Controller General of India has approved the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose, also known as 2-DG, for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe COVID-19 cases, DRDO said on Saturday. 

The 2-DG drug is a generic molecule and an analogue of glucose, which could be produced easily in plenty. In clinical trials, it showed reduced dependence on oxygen support. 

Also Read: Positive coronavirus test no longer needed for admission to COVID facility

Here’s all you need to know about 2-DG drug approved as an adjunct therapy:

– 2-DG will come in powder form in a sachet, which should be taken orally with water. DRDO said that “the drug accumulates in the virus-infected cells and prevents virus growth by stopping viral synthesis and energy production.”

Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal demands 2.6 crore doses, asks Centre to bring vaccines for children

– An adjunct therapy is done to assist the primary treatment. Similarly, the drug 2-DG will be used in order to support the ongoing primary treatments of COVID patients at moderate to severe levels. 

– The clinical trials showed that 2-DG drug helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces dependence on oxygen support. The approval comes at a time when people are suffering due to oxygen shortage. 

Also Read: 8-day bubble in India, 10-day quarantine in UK: BCCI’s WTC plan

– COVID patients treated with this drug show faster symptomatic cure, the DRDO said. 

– The drug has been developed by DRDO’s Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.