Repurposing Molnupiravir as a new opportunity to treat COVID-19

Abstract

With the emergence of new and re-emerging viral diseases, scientists have been working to produce new medications with novel targets and pathways. The discovery of safe and efficacious antiviral medicines is critical due to the constant introduction of new virus types and short lifetime of protection. Since the outbreak, there have been significant efforts to repurpose existing and licensed medications for rapid human testing and possible emergency use authorizations. The exploration of surviving medications for new restorative motives is known as drug repurposing. It is a successful, rapid, and highly reliable alternative to traditional drug methods. COVID-19 is being treated using a number of repurposed and new medicines. Molnupiravir is a repurposed Covid-19 medicine that was specifically developed to cure influenza and is used to treat mild to moderately ill Covid-19 patients with high risk of becoming seriously ill. The importance of medication repurposing, as well as the regulatory procedure for repurposed pharmaceuticals and Emergency Use Authorization in the United States, are summarized in this article.

Impact of Disease States on the Oral Pharmacokinetics of EIDD-1931 (an Active Form of Molnupiravir) in Rats for Implication in the Dose Adjustment

“…9,10 In this scenario, molnupiravir (EIDD-2801 or MK-4482) has been given emergency use authorization by several developed and developing countries because it is found to be the most efficacious orally to combat mild to moderate COVID-19 infection. 11 Initially, EIDD-1931 (β-d-N 4 -hydroxycytidine) was developed because of its potent inhibitory efficiency against influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus. 12 It also has significant anti-viral activity against the New World encephalitic alpha and chikungunya viruses.…”

“…An ample number of drugs, including repurposed drugs, have been explored at the clinical level to find a suitable therapeutic option . Lopinavir/ritonavir, remdesevir/baricitinib, and hydroxychloroquine have shown their effectiveness in hospitalized patients, but their treatments are associated with severe toxic effects like Q-T prolongation. , In this scenario, molnupiravir (EIDD-2801 or MK-4482) has been given emergency use authorization by several developed and developing countries because it is found to be the most efficacious orally to combat mild to moderate COVID-19 infection . Initially, EIDD-1931 (β-d-N 4 -hydroxycytidine) was developed because of its potent inhibitory efficiency against influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus .…”