Anti-COVID drug 2DG: DRDO releases guidelines on who can use its medicine

Guidelines and steps on how and when to use 2-Deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) medicine anti-Covid medicine have been released on Tuesday by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). 

The drug was launched in May by the Ministry of Defence, which has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a leading laboratory of the DRDO, in collaboration with Dr Reddy's Laboratories (DRL) in Hyderabad.

Also Read: DCGI approves DRDO's anti-COVID drug for emergency use

The DRDO informed that the 2-DG drug should be used under medical supervision. 

The 2-DG drug is an oral medicine for emergency use in additional therapy for treating Covid patients. It reduces dependence on supplemental oxygen.

Guidelines to use 2-DG drug:-

•  2DG drug must be prescribed only by doctors. This drug can be prescribed for up to 10 days and can be used by both moderate and severe Covid patients. 
•  This drug is approved for 'Emergency Use', and can be utilized as an added therapy alongside the standard treatments made to treat patients infected with the coronavirus. 
•  Extra caution has to be maintained while giving 2DG drug to patients having medical issues like uncontrolled diabetes, severe cardiac problems, ARDS, severe hepatic and renal impairment, as the drug has not been tested on patients suffering from the mentioned diseases. 
•  Lactating, pregnant women and people below 18 years of age should not be prescribed a 2DG drug. 
•  Patients/Attendants looking to procure 2DG medicine should email their requirement to 2DG@drreddys.com. The email ID is of Dr Reddy's Lab, Hyderabad.

Also Read: DRDO launches first batch of Anti-Covid drug 2-DG

The DRDO’s 2DG medicine for treating Covid patients was cleared on May 1for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe Covid-19 patients. The first batch of the homegrown produce anti-Covid drug was released by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on May 17. Its price has been fixed at Rs 990 per sachet by the pharma major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories. However, the drug will be given by government hospitals at a discounted price. Dr Reddy's Laboratories in a statement last week said that the drug will be commercially launched in mid-June.