The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Tuesday issued directions for the use of its anti-Covid drug, 2-deoxy-D-glucose or 2-DG.
DRDO said the drug can be given to patients under the care and prescription of doctors for moderate to severe patients for a maximum duration of up to 10 days.
However, it clarified that the drug has not been tested in people with uncontrolled diabetes, severe heart disease, respiratory, or hepatic renal impairment problems and that more precautions are needed when using it. The DRDO clearly states that pregnant women, lactating mothers, and those under 18 should not be given the 2-DG drug.
“Patients and attendants are advised to request the hospital to contact Dr Reddy’s lab Hyderabad for medicine supply at email: 2DG@drreddys.com,” the organisation said in a tweet.
The oral drug 2-DG has been developed in collaboration with Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL). The drug will be sold at Rs 990 per sachet and Centre and state governments can get it at a discounted price.