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Early studies show new Merck COVID-19 pill, Molnupiravir could be ‘game-changer’
NBC 4 ^ | 03/12/2021 | Catherine Ross

Posted on 03/12/2021 10:19:32 AM PST by SeekAndFind

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Some doctors are calling an experimental drug a “game-changer” in the fight against COVID-19. Pharmaceutical company Merck recently released, along with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, early trial results for Molnupiravir.

The antiviral therapy would be a first of its kind capsule, taken twice a day for 5 days, to limit the effects of COVID-19.

Central Ohio family physician Dr. Anup Kanodia explained Molnupiravir works for COVID-19 the way Tamiflu works for the flu. Both drugs stop a virus from reproducing.

“If you catch it early on, it’s easier to fight off. Same thing with this,” he said. “So if you stop it replicating, stop it from growing in your body, then you’ll have less severe symptoms, less need to go to the ER, hospital, ICU, et cetera.”

The pill would be the first oral antiviral in a limited arsenal of COVID-19 treatment options. Several other drugs must be administered intravenously in a hospital or clinical setting.

“I can call in a script, go to a pharmacy and take it. It stops it in its tracks,” Dr. Kanodia explained of the capsule.

If approved, the companies expect the treatment could work for everyone from asymptomatic to hospitalized patients. During an infectious disease conference Saturday, Ridgeback explained the drug significantly reduced the virus after five days of treatment in subjects taking part in a mid-stage study. A third trial phase will bring the treatment to a larger sample size before the companies seek approval.

Additionally, the companies said because Molnupiravir is not coded to fight any specific strain of coronavirus, it would be effective against new and emerging variants.

A federal program teamed up Molnupiravir creator Merck with Johnson and Johnson to ramp up production of the latest approved vaccine.

(Excerpt) Read more at nbc4i.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: chinavirustreatment; covid19; merck; molnupiravir; pill
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1 posted on 03/12/2021 10:19:32 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind
the way Tamiflu works for the flu

The problem with Tamiflu is that by the time I would admit to being sick rather than just "merely under the weather" I'm past the two day limit you have to take Tamiflu in. Unless it clobbers me fast, there's not a chance I'm going to call a doctor in the first two days.

2 posted on 03/12/2021 10:28:42 AM PST by KarlInOhio (The greatest threat to world freedom is the Chinese Communist Party and Joe Biden is their puppet.)
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To: KarlInOhio

Has Grinch Whitmer ordered her AG and DOJ to arrest physicians prescribing this for Covid-19 yet?


3 posted on 03/12/2021 10:35:35 AM PST by epluribus_2 (He, had the best mom - ever.)
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To: SeekAndFind

If this new drug does as well against the virus as Ivermectin, they’ll have something to talk about.


4 posted on 03/12/2021 10:36:22 AM PST by BobL (TheDonald.win is now Patriots.win)
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To: SeekAndFind

Meanwhile Hydroxychloroquine got kicked to the curb via political agendas.
Clinicians were having some success with it to also administer early enough to stop the deleterious effects of Covid. Same song, different hymnal.


5 posted on 03/12/2021 10:45:54 AM PST by tflabo (Truth or tyranny )
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To: SeekAndFind

Targeted therapies are always the gold standard. The analogy to Tami flu is one I made several days ago. If this pans out between this and the vaccination process the pandemic is done.


6 posted on 03/12/2021 10:49:41 AM PST by gas_dr (Trial lawyers AND POLITICIANS are Endangering Every Patient in America: INCLUDING THEIR LIBERTIES)
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To: BobL

It’s heads and shoulders better because it’s targeted. Ivermectin is at best incomplete


7 posted on 03/12/2021 10:50:24 AM PST by gas_dr (Trial lawyers AND POLITICIANS are Endangering Every Patient in America: INCLUDING THEIR LIBERTIES)
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To: SeekAndFind

wouldn’t it be cheaper and just as effective to take 12mg of Ivermectin 2 days in a row and then go enjoy your life?? Oh it’s Dirt Cheap Too!!


8 posted on 03/12/2021 10:52:00 AM PST by eyeamok (founded in cynicism, wrapped in sarcasm)
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To: SeekAndFind

a pill this effective would undermine the push for every human to accept the Mark (the vaccine) so I imagine it will never happen


9 posted on 03/12/2021 10:56:00 AM PST by Stingray51 ( )
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To: SeekAndFind

Hydroxycholoquine (Plaquenil), $21.99 for 60 tablets with GoodRx at Costco, $.37/tablet.


10 posted on 03/12/2021 10:58:46 AM PST by bertmerc1 (Conservative Buddhist)
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To: SeekAndFind

But do you still need to wear a mask and social distance for the next 5 years after taking it?


11 posted on 03/12/2021 11:47:37 AM PST by unixfox (Abolish Slavery, Repeal the 16th Amendment)
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To: tflabo

Jack Nicklaus took HCQ twice/day for five days and stated his covid was essentially over on the 2nd day. If there were only a way to charge $1000 per pill.


12 posted on 03/12/2021 12:17:47 PM PST by Chauncey Gardiner
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To: unixfox
But do you still need to wear a mask and social distance for the next 5 years after taking it?

That--plus you need to wear a Black Lives Matter shirt. Then you will be good to go...
13 posted on 03/12/2021 12:41:31 PM PST by cgbg (A kleptocracy--if they can keep it. Think of it as the Cantillon Effect in action.)
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To: cgbg
AND BEING YOUR MR. POTATOE HEAD AND DR. SEUSE BOOKS TO THE LOCAL BOOK BURNING
14 posted on 03/12/2021 1:28:38 PM PST by justrepublican (Screaming like a "Vexatious requester" at a Wellstone memorial........)
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To: SeekAndFind

.


15 posted on 03/12/2021 2:49:28 PM PST by sauropod (#ImpeachMcConnell. #Resist. #NotMyPresident. Exvtamr)
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To: SeekAndFind
From the article:Isn't that about the same Rx as HCQ?

There I go again, bringing up a taboo subject :)

This new drug cost $21.00 per 10 mg tablet or $410 for 5 days (2*21*5) per this link.

What was the cost again for 5 days worth of HCQ? Seems like $60 or much less is about right.

16 posted on 03/12/2021 4:17:03 PM PST by upchuck (President Trump took down ISIS. *resident Biden took down Dr. Seuss and Mr. Potatohead ~ h/t pookie)
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To: gas_dr

“It’s heads and shoulders better because it’s targeted.”

Great to see! Matching Ivermectin’s benefits, much less exceeding them, at least per the studies that are out is not easy. And, as a side benefit, this is NEW DRUG, so there’s even some money to be made on it!


17 posted on 03/12/2021 10:24:15 PM PST by BobL (TheDonald.win is now Patriots.win)
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To: BobL

You need to stop on the ivermectin. I assure you if Ivermectin were a game changer every six in the planet would be using it. There is a reason it hasn’t caught the fire many people hope it does and it is not Becuase all of us are a part of conspiracy. It simply only partially works.

I know there are a lot of people who think they understand medicine. They don’t. And I also know that I have personally Rx ivermectin in every oases of the disease with very mixed results. I support the right to try. I suppoet using it of label if a qualified medical professional want to. But I cannot in good faith tell patients we have a cure so don’t worry about it snd don’t get vaccinated Because simply is not true.


18 posted on 03/13/2021 12:58:40 AM PST by gas_dr (Trial lawyers AND POLITICIANS are Endangering Every Patient in America: INCLUDING THEIR LIBERTIES)
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To: gas_dr

“You need to stop on the ivermectin.”

I’ve seen enough from our government and your profession to not trust a damn thing in these areas, so I’ll trust the (other) governments that are using it and the studies that have been done. But feel free to keep going after me, I’m used to it!

I’m also not going to debate you, since you have more brains and education than myself, so it’s a waste of time, so I must be ‘inferior’. But don’t feel bad, that’s how I am with everyone in your business - I had a doctor try to sell me on Statins. I told him “no thanks” and he wanted to debate me. If I want to debate doctors, I’ll go to a medical journal or something.


19 posted on 03/13/2021 5:55:26 AM PST by BobL (TheDonald.win is now Patriots.win)
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To: BobL

You make statements there the studies do not support. I have read the studies and given the meds off label. My experience plus the experience of those who have published are in alignment. The problem arises when people make sweepingly false statements without fully understanding the finer points.

Which is exactly what you are doing. I am an early adopter and willing to try anything that is reasonably safe. I simply request that when something is proffered as fact and it is incorrect for it to be exposed

You make the snarky statement that the directed antiviral treatment will be used because it’s a money maker snd of better than ivermectin then it will be something but you always use the (liberal) line of someone is profiting. R&D is expensive. But this looks likely to be curative of Corona virus. Ivermectin is not. If you hate vaccines so much you should be rooting for this medication as it will fulfill the effective treatment standard to a high degree of certainty if it works as advertised.


20 posted on 03/13/2021 6:39:40 AM PST by gas_dr (Trial lawyers AND POLITICIANS are Endangering Every Patient in America: INCLUDING THEIR LIBERTIES)
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