All about DRDO 2-DG Drug

 

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed anti-COVID oral drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) has granted permission for the emergency use in severe covid-19 cases. 

2-DG is different from other vaccines in usage also. It has announced that it will soon launch a 2-DG drug that will help reduce the need for oxygen. ‘2-DG’ has shown good results in clinical trials conducted on corona victims, to the extent that ‘Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI)’ approvals have been obtained for emergency use.

When Covid positive cases, which are on the rise across the country, the availability of ‘2-DG’ gives a great sigh of relief to the people. 2-DG drug can be available in powder form which dissolves it in water and drink. This drug prevents the virus from reaching the infected cells in our body. This slows down the growth of the virus. 2-DG specializes in reaching viral cells. The molecules in this drug are similar to normal glucose molecules.

Following the success of the first and second phase trials, DCGI approved the third phase clinical trials in November last year. The drug was administered to 220 patients between December and March. The experiments were performed on patients at 27 Covid hospitals in 10 states across the country, including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. By the third day of administration of the 2-DG drug, approximately 42% of patients had no need for oxygen. So far, people use Remdesivir for any covid related case which has great demand. Approval for 2-DG drug becomes bitter news for black market holders.