Roche Holding AG (ROG.S) stated that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its monoclonal antibody Actemra for the treatment of COVID-19 infections in hospitalized adult patients. The term ‘monoclonal antibody medicines refer to treatments that prime the immune system to combat specific diseases.
As per Health News, the anti-inflammatory drug Actemra was approved in 2010 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Actemra is the first monoclonal antibody recognized by the FDA to treat severe instances of COVID-19. It was granted emergency use authorization in June of last year.
“Actemra is the first monoclonal antibody approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19, providing an important option for hospitalized patients and their healthcare providers who continue to be at the forefront of COVID-19 treatment,” said Roche’s chief medical officer Levi Garraway in an official statement.
In November 2022, Eli Lilly and Company’s (LLY.N) COVID-19 monoclonal antibody, bebtelovimab, was shown to not target the dominant BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 subvariants of the Omicron variant, and hence its authorisation was revoked. As of the second week of December, the BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 subvariants accounted for around 69 percent of COVID-19 cases in the United States.
Actemra may now be administered to COVID-19 patients who are on particular steroids and require supplemental oxygen, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
COVID-19 can manifest differently in various people. It can manifest in some people as the normal flu, and in others as a lethal virus. While some persons can stay at home and let the virus to heal on its own, others require medicine and treatment to recover. As of today, the FDA has allowed antiviral medicines to treat mild and moderate COVID-19 in more susceptible patients.
Antiviral treatments try to limit the spread of the virus within the body, thereby averting major disease or even death. Oral prescriptions for Paxlovid are available for individuals 12 years and older. You can also take Veklury and Lagevrio to alleviate the symptoms. It is essential to consult with medical professionals to choose the most effective treatment.
Most people may combat COVID-19 with over-the-counter drugs such as Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin. In the United States, COVID-19 vaccines are also available to avoid serious infections, hospitalization, and even death.
Additionally, the FDA authorized the emergency use of Tixagevimab and cilgavimab, a medicine that can prevent COVID-19 infection. EVUSHELDTM contains two distinct antibodies and is administered in a medical institution prior to receiving COVID-19.
The preventative drug is prescribed to those who are mildly or severely immunocompromised, or who have a severe allergy to COVID-19 vaccinations. EVUSHELDTM may be administered every six months to protect against the influenza virus.
