Defence Minister has released the first batch of the indigenously developed anti-Covid-19 drug, 2-deoxy-D-glucose or ‘2-DG’.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had cleared the formulation on May 1 for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe Covid-19 patients.
Q. What is 2-DG?
2-DG has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), New Delhi, a lab of the DRDO in collaboration with Hyderabad-based pharma company Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL).
The 2-DG anti-Covid drug is expected to reduce dependence on medical oxygen in Covid-19 infected patients.
The pseudo glucose molecule in the drug stops the virus in the tracts.
Hence, it has been prescribed for Coronavirus infected patients requiring critical medical oxygen.
Q. How does it work?
Clinical trial data show that the molecule helps in faster recovery of patients hospitalized with Covid-19, and reduces their dependence on supplemental oxygen.
The drug accumulates in virus-infected cells, and prevents the growth of the virus by stopping viral synthesis and energy production.
Its selective accumulation in virally-infected cells makes this drug unique.
Q. What are its advantages?
2-DG being a generic molecule and an analogue of glucose, it can be easily produced and made available in large quantities.
The drug is available in powder form in a sachet, and can be taken orally after dissolving in water.
