WHAT IS MOLNUPIRAVIR?

Molnupiravir is a medicine that is antiviral in function. Its usage proliferated during the Covid-19 pandemic as it functions to stop the virus that causes covid-19 from spreading. It is the first oral antiviral medication that was approved to treat Covid-19 and the UK was the first country to grant approval to this medication. It is used to help ease the Covid-19 infection, its spreading, and to prevent its symptoms.

WHEN IS MOLNUPIRAVIR RECOMMENDED?

Molnupiravir is used only after being prescribed by a doctor. It comes as capsules and its consumption is suitable only after we have tested positive for coronavirus post 5 days after the symptoms start showing up.

HOW AND WHEN TO CONSUME IT?

Milnupiravir is available in the market in 200 mg capsules and the recommended dosage is 800 mg, twice a day. Usually, the doctor will prescribe us to take 4 Molnupiravir capsules two times a day, 5 days a week. It’s quite effective and starts working on our body immediately after its consumption.

Crushing of the capsule should be prohibited as it will release the medicine into our body’s system before the time intended. Molnupiravir is strictly avoided during pregnancy.

In the UK, there was a supply of 480,000 courses of the drug just after it was approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF MOLNUPIRAVIR?

The following side effects were seen to occur in more than 1 in 100 people who consumed Molnupiravir;

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting

There are no known serious side effects and in rare cases, some people were noted to have serious allergic reactions also known as anaphylaxis.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF A DOSE IS MISSED?

It is important that we don’t skip a dose because it can cause other complications as Molnupiravir is one of the most effective drugs against coronavirus. But when we do forget to consume the pill, we can still consume it within the next 10 hours of time intended. Then take the next dose at the usual scheduled time. But if it’s been more than 10 hours, we can skip the forgotten dose and take the next dose as per schedule. It is never recommended to take 2 doses to make up for the missed dose.

WHAT IS IVERMECTIN?

Ivermectin in UK is primarily a deworming agent but it is also popularly claimed that it can be used to treat covid-19 and its symptoms. However, this claim hasn’t yet been proved and Ivermectin hasn’t yet been approved for use against coronavirus in the UK.

Ivermectin is available in 3 mg tablets which contain microcrystalline cellulose, regelatinized starch, magnesium stearate, butylated hydroxyanisole, anhydrous citric acid powder. Ivermectin is a drug or medicine that is used to treat certain parasitic diseases. There are two known types; one that doctors prescribe for certain health conditions and the other that veterinarians prescribe for animals. In animals, it helps in preventing heartworm infections and parasites.

WHY IS IVERMECTIN USED?

Ivermectin treats infections caused by parasitic worms; Strongyloidiasis which causes issues like stomach pain and bloating, diarrhoea and rashes.

Onchocerciasis is also known as river blindness causes itchy rashes or abnormal growths under the skin. It is also used to treat head lice and skin conditions like scabies and rosacea.

However, in recent times many have claimed Ivermectin can ease Covid symptoms and help treat the same by working against the Covid-19 virus.

HOW DOES IVERMECTIN WORK?

Ivermectin works by paralyzing and killing parasites. This medicine is orally administered on an empty stomach, some time before a meal. It is consumed on a doctor’s prescription and it is necessary to make sure you tell the doctor if you have any health conditions like asthma or liver diseases, are pregnant or trying to conceive, or have allergic reactions to foods and medicines. This is necessary because Ivermectin can go haywire with medicines like blood thinners. Ivermectin shouldn’t be taken with food or immediately before or after food and taking double the dose is strictly prohibited.

Read About :- Is Ivermectin safe for humans in 2022?

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF IVERMECTIN?

Consumers of Ivermectin can have side effects like:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Pain in joints or muscles, more specifically in the stomach
• Low appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Shaky movements

It is important that we bring it to the notice of our doctor if we experience serious side effects like neck or back pain, swelling in the face, arms, hands, or feet, chest pain, dizziness, vision changes, fever, unusual tiredness or weakness, blisters, peels or red skin, irregular heartbeat.

WHAT IF YOU MISS A DOSE OR OVERDOSE?

It is important that we consume this pill exactly as prescribed by the doctor but in case we do miss it, take the medicine as soon as you remember. If it is time to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and do not take a double dosage of the drug. Ask your doctor for better advice or consultation.

Overdose is highly prohibited since it can cause complications to the consumer like trouble breathing or even passing out. Symptoms of overdose may also include numbness, loss of coordination, and seizures.

MOLNUPIRAVIR V/S IVERMECTIN

1. BRAND NAME: These two drugs go with different brand names or are more commonly referred to as the following names;
2. Molnupiravir- MOLNUNAT
3. Ivermectin- STROMECTOL
4. They are both orally consumed tablets/pills. Ivermectin is also available as a cream and lotion to apply to your skin whereas Molnupiravir is only available in the form of pills.
5. Ivermectin is used in animals and humans whereas Molnupiravir is only used in humans.
6. Ivermectin is not fully approved for the treatment of coronavirus whereas Molnupiravir is used and approved for coronavirus treatment.

Understanding the Facts about IVERMECTIN and MOLNUPIRAVIR

There was a rumor airing around the world that Molnupiravir is just Ivermectin but with a different brand name. These claims are not true. While both the drugs are produced by Merck, they are different medications that work and function in different ways to treat different conditions/diseases.

The name Molnupiravir was inspired by Mjölnir, the hammer of the mythological thunder god, Thor, and this drug was effective against delta virus and other variants like gamma and mu.

Dr. Stephen Griffin, a virologist, and professor at the University of Leeds has confirmed that Molnupiravir is not a repackaging of ivermectin. He also stressed the fact that the two drugs have different chemistry/composition and different action mechanisms.

Ivermectin and Molnupiravir are composed and made of different molecules proving the two drugs are structurally different. Molnupiravir works similarly to how certain anti-HIV drugs work- by preventing the spreading and growth of viruses. It is broken down into our body after consumption into a building block that makes the RNA which inserts itself into the genetic material of the virus and changes the structural integrity of the virus and its ability to thrive. On the other hand, Ivermectin was discovered in the 1970s primarily for the treatment of parasitic diseases which has no proof as to its effects against Covid-19.

The name Ivermectin was derived from avermectins which was a group of molecules in soil-dwelling bacteria; this drug has nothing to do with RNA replication whereas, it is a mechanism used by Molnupiravir.

Bottom line, Molnupiravir is one of the first approved antiviral drugs for covid-19 which can be administered orally. It is a more efficient and popular choice of treatment for Covid-19 because it is convenient as it can be taken at home as a pill and reduces dependence and strain on healthcare facilities.

Both Molnupiravir and Remdesivir are antivirals that work against coronavirus. Doctors will first evaluate your situation and other factors to decide whether you must/can take Remdesivir after Molnupiravir. It is important to remember you are never recommended to take both Remdesivir and Molnupiravir together.