Explained: What is 2-DG, how effective is the new anti-Covid drug, and is its use advised?

Amid the various treatment options for Covid-19, a new drug, 2-DG, has been given the go-ahead by the Drugs Controller General of India. While the drug is in its early days and its effectiveness is still to be proven, a city-based doctor says the results show promise but advises caution

Earlier this week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan released the first batch of the drug 2-DG. It comes a few weeks after the drug was approved by the Drugs Controller General of India on May 1, for emergency use in Covid-19 treatment. 

The drug has been developed at the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) lab, which is a part of the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL). According to an Indian Express report, their development is based on a paper from March 2020, which is linked to the Haridwar-based Patanjali Research Institute.

Even though the drug is still in its early stages, here is what is known about it: 

What is 2-DG? 
2-deoxy-D-Glucose, or 2-DG as it is more commonly called, is an oral drug which has been approved and set to be used in Covid-19 treatment on moderate to severe patients. It is available in powder form and can be taken by dissolving it in water. 

Explaining the science behind the new drug, Dr Bipin Jibhkate, Consultant, Critical Care Medicine, and ICU director, Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road says, “The oral drug is a new strain of glucose that interferes in the replication of the virus. The mRNA is not able to replicate the virus as it sees a faulty glucose strain. So, this helps stop the virus from spreading any further.”

How effective is the drug? 
The clinical trials have reportedly shown effectiveness in faster recovery of those patients who are hospitalised, and also in reducing their dependency on supplemental oxygen. It can be administered only with the help of a prescription to the hospitalised patient and as an add-on therapy along with the ongoing treatment. 

While the first batch of the drug has been released, it is available only in select centres and hasn’t been launched in the market yet or given a price tag. However, there are concerns over the lack of sufficient testing for its clearance and its effectiveness. Still, Jibhkate is hopeful. 

Talking about the effectiveness of the drug, he says, “The drug is still not available in the public domain so it is still too early to talk about its effectiveness. Since it is currently undergoing the third clinical trials, only after that we will understand how it can help. However, from the kind of reaction it has shown, the drug does look promising in reducing the effects of the virus on the body for patients with Covid-19.” 

What are the possible challenges that could occur? 
If and when the drug is available and prescribed in the public domain, there could be several challenges. 
“Availability will be one of the challenges for this drug. It should also not be taken by the general public without expert advice as the side effect profile has to be understood properly. In diabetic patients, it will need to be seen whether taking the drug will lead to fluctuations in their sugar levels,” Jibhkate adds. 

Further, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has warned the public against agents selling spurious products or unverified messages related to 2-DG.

(With inputs from PTI)

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