DRDO’s ‘2-deoxy-D-glucose’ (2-DG) gets approval as adjunct therapy for Covid-19

Eases oxygen dependence

New Delhi: The drug, ‘2Deoxy-D-glucose’ (2-DG), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India, for emergency use on Covid-19 patients. This drug will be used as an ‘adjunctive treatment method’ in patients with mild to severe symptoms of coronavirus.  The drug comes in the form of 2-DG powder, in sachet, to be dissolved in water and consumed orally.

DCGI has granted permission for emergency use of of anti-COVID-19 therapeutic application of the drug 2-DG https://t.co/eMaJt0xcRB

— The Hindu (@the_hindu) May 8, 2021

According to the Ministry of Defence, tests have shown that “this molecule helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence.” In the second wave of coronavirus, a large number of patients are dependent on oxygen and need hospitalisation. ‘The way this drug works on infected cells, it is expected to save lives. This drug will also help to reduce the duration of coronavirus patients stay in the hospital. The Ministry of Defence said that, ‘The drug can easily be manufactured and made available in large quantities in the country itself.’

‘2-DG’, drug accumulates in infected cells and prevents the growth of virus.

How will DRDO's anti-Covid drug work? All you need to knowhttps://t.co/yRbP5C0Xoa pic.twitter.com/QKiBzeTrD1

— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) May 8, 2021