The FDA has cleared a new medicine for the treatment of Covid-19 infection. The drug is Actemra and mainly used for the treatment of arthritis. It is used to treat various inflammatory conditions. It reduces inflammation in the body. The FDA said that it has granted an emergency use authorization to the medicine. It can be used for the treatment of those patients who are undergoing treatment at hospitals for Covid-19 infection. Actemra can only be administered to patients above two years of age receiving systemic corticosteroids and medical oxygen. The FDA categorically noted that Actemra is not authorized for use in outpatients with Covid-19.
The medicine prevents deterioration of the patient’s condition. It is also helpful in preventing deaths. Besides, it reduces the risk of placing a patient on a ventilator. Clinical trials showed that the drug delivered promising results in the treatment of Covid-19. The death risk was decreased when the drug was given with additional therapies like corticosteroids. The medicine also cuts the hospitalization timings. The FDA, however, said that vaccines are the most important weapon in the fight against Covid-19. It said that vaccines have successfully decreased the number of Covid-19 patients worldwide. Also, vaccines have prevented deaths due to the virus. But providing additional therapies to patients in hospitals is also important to bolster the fight.
According to the FDA, it is a monoclonal antibody. It works by reducing inflammation and increasing metabolism. The medicine is administered to a patient by intravenous infusion. It is a process that is approved by the FDA for the treatment of several inflammatory diseases. Under this process, fluids are directly placed into the bloodstream. The clinical trials noted that the body’s immune system can be hyperactive in Covid-19 infection. This may result in worsening the condition of a patient. Although the drug does not target SARS-COV-2 directly, the FDA’s decision is based on scientific evidence that suggests that it may be effective in treating Covid-19.
