Data favours a drug in better outcomes for most COVID-related symptoms

A study published data on the efficacy of molnupiravir in reducing the risk of progression of COVID-19 in non-hospitalised, unvaccinated patients at the highest risk of poor outcomes was published. All patients in phase 3 of the study were randomised and given molnupiravir or placebo within five days of symptom onset. The drug has been granted an emergency use authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For most COVID-19 symptoms, sustained improvement was more likely in the molnupiravir than in the placebo group through Day 29; the observed benefit was greatest for loss of smell and fatigue. Similarly, symptom progression was less likely with molnupiravir.

When evaluating distinctive COVID-19 symptoms commonly associated with the disease, including shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, cough, fatigue (tiredness), loss of smell, and loss of taste, participants in the molnupiravir group were more likely to achieve sustained improvement by Day 3, Day 5 (end of treatment), and Day 10.

Source: The Lancet