A new anti-COVID-19 drug has shown promising signs of eliminating the virus in three days, a study has revealed.
Clinical trials of the American made drug Molnupiravir have shown the pill can "eliminate" a mild to moderate COVID-19 infection by day three of the treatment.
However, a COVID-19 patient needs to start the drug within five days of developing symptoms.
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Molnupiravir is an "oral antiviral prodrug" that has been used to fight coronaviruses, including COVID-19.
The drug has been provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia
The study carried out by Merck & Co, the manufacturer of the drug, found that zero of the 92 participants with COVID-19 still had the virus by day three of taking Molnupiravir whereas 21 per cent of participants who had a placebo still had the virus at that time.
Dr Julie Strizki, the scientist heading the study, concluded a five-day course of Molnupiravir is effective in rapidly eliminating COVID-19.
"This study provides additional evidence that molnupiravir helps those infected clear SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-1) faster than placebo," she said.
"Molnupiravir can lower the risk of progression to serious illness in this high-risk cohort."
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It also appears to clear the virus equally well in immunocompromised patients.
The study also revealed the drug can improve symptoms quicker, especially loss of smell and fatigue
The results of the studies will be presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases with hopes the pill will be approved for emergency use in Europe.
