Molnupiravir

Molnupiravir or lagevrio (brand name) is a new antiviral drug which has recently undergone clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment, and other uses.

Theory
Molnupiravir was developed specifically to target the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) but proved effective in early trials against COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Molnupiravir targets the virus by introducing copy errors as it replicates. It breaks down to n-hydroxycytidine (NHC) in the body, and is then metabolised to NHC-TP.

Evidence
There is no evidence yet of the use of molnupiravir in patients with ME/CFS.

Risks and safety
Molnupiravir was approved for emergency use in the United Kingdom for mild or moderate COVID-19 in people with at least one risk factor for severe disease during late 2021.

Side effects in adults taking molnupiravir for COVID-19 for the recommended 5 days included diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, and headaches which were either mild or moderate, but this was based on a trial of less than 400 people. Based on drug chemistry, interactions with other drugs are not expected.

Costs and availability
Molnupiravir is not yet FDA-approved, although approval is likely in 2022. The European Medicines Agency is conducting a rolling review of molnupiravir for COVID-19 and if had been approved by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Molnupiravir is taken orally.

Articles and news

 * Sep 2021, A Daily Pill to treat Covid could be just Months Away Scientists Say - WebMD

Learn more

 * Molnupiravir - DrugBank
 * Molnupiravir - drugs.com