DRDO tackles misinformation about Covid drug, lists usage

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 1

In a bid to tackle misinformation on social media regarding the Covid therapy drug ‘2DG’, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Tuesday tweeted the usage of the drug and advised on who all can benefit from it.

The DRDO has developed the drug that comes in powder form in a sachet that can be dissolved in water. Pharma-giant Dr Reddy’s is producing the medicine.

The DRDO said the 2DG is approved for emergency use as an adjunct therapy to the standard of care in the treatment of covid patients in hospital settings.

Doctors can prescribe the drug as early as possible for moderate to severe covid patients for the maximum duration of 10 days. The impact of the drug on patients with uncontrolled diabetes, severe cardiac problem, severe hepatic and renal impairment has not been studied yet, hence caution should be exercised, the DRDO said in a tweet.

Also, the medicine should not be given to pregnant and lactating women and patients below 18 years.

Also, the DRDO, which is under the Ministry of Defence, has advised the hospital to contact Dr Reddy’s Lab, Hyderabad for medicine supply.