Covid-19 medication you should know.

Medication for COVID-19 – Crucial words to know.

Today millions of people are in hospitals and more than them are the loved ones waiting at homes with full hope that they will come back, soon fit and fine. He believes on doctors, on health care workers, and looks with hopeful eyes at every single person wearing hospital uniform going across his bed, that they will save him any how, that now he will be alright in a few days as he got hospitalized.

The most overwhelming words and unlimited belief on them in today’s era are HOSPITAL, DOCTOR, and MEDICINE. Yes, hospitals and doctors are doing their best. But how do the medicines work?

 Here comes the word medicine the most crucial part that truly runs in the human body to modify the function and fight against COVID-19. Though there are many drugs like antibiotics, antidepressants etc prescribed by doctors nowadays but most famous out of them are:

 REMDESIVIR, CASIRIVIMAB & IMEDEVIMAB, and STEROIDS.

The above drugs or injections are not prescribed in the early stages of infection as they are only needed in post times. Let us know about them in some detail;

REMDESIVIR :-

Brand name - Veklury.

Developed by – Gilead Sciences.

Remdesivir is an anti-viral drug. It is given only through injection directly in veins that is intravenous nucleotide. The medication type got full approval from the Food and Drug Administration[FDA] to practice on COVID-19 patients as it is proven to be effective in recovery at faster rate. Also received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The medication is approved only for the treatment of those patients who are hospitalized and is strictly not to be used at home without or with the prescription of a physician.

The injection is given in vein once daily for 5-10 days or as prescribed by the doctor. The patients already suffering with some kind of kidney or liver diseases should be considered and examined before giving the remdesivir medication. It is only meant for moderate to severe infective patients and is not given to asymptomatic or symptomatic with mild symptoms types of patients in any condition. Till now it is not predicted that is the medication effective and safe for pregnant women and infants.

Tests needed to be done before having remdesivir:

Kidney and liver functionality, Blood mineral levels and blood cell count.

Side effects:

·        Low blood pressure.

·        Nausea.

·        Sweating.

·        Shivering.

·        Vomiting.

·        Gastrointestinal problems.

·        And hypersensitivity as well.

Also read : Covid-19 : Symptoms, effects and precuation

CASIRIVIMAB & IMEDEVIMAB:-

Brand name – REGEN-COV2.

Developed by – Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

Casirivimab & Imedevimab is an antibody cocktail of both drugs. Both the drugs are given together through a single injection intravenously. Well it is basically an under investigation artificially developed drug that is still studies are going through it so as to understand the medication in clearer way. Although the drug got permission for use in emergency conditions by Food and Drug Administration and still remains unapproved by the authorization. Hence, received Emergency Use Authorization.

The medication could be given to mild to moderate infective patients only on one condition, if they show high risks of developing the infection severely. It could be prescribed for non-hospitalized patients who are isolated at homes or at other health care units. Those patients who are pregnant or have recently gave birth to baby should give full details about their health to the doctor before such type of prescription.

General side effects:-

·        Fever or chills.

·        Swelling of lips or throat.

·        Muscle ache.

·        Headache.

·        Nausea.

·        Weakness.

 

Worsening side effects:-

·        Fever.

·        Difficulty in breathing.

·        Slow or fast heartbeat.

·        Much tiredness or weakness.

If the above mentioned general side effects continue for long time or any of the worsening side effects arise than seek for medical help as soon as possible.

Since, still the type of medication is under modification; therefore it could have for types of side effects other then listed.

Also read : What is Oxygen saturation level? How to maintain it

STEROIDS:-

Corticosteroids are preferred for COVID-19 patients. Basically, steroids are prescribed for anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects. But in this very case of COVID-19 they are found to be very beneficial for critically ill patients. They are sold under different brand names.

The steroids could be given orally in the form of a medicine or could be injected intravenously in human body. They should be only given to the patients who are severely infected as recommended by World Health Organization [WHO].

Some of the steroids are listed which are prescribed for Covid patients:-

·        Dexamethasone [6mg].

·        Hydrocortisone [160mg].

·        Predinisone [40mg].

·        Methyl predinisolone [32mg].

 

Any infective person at their early stages should not be prescribed with these medicines as they can worsen up the infection by allowing other bacterial multiplication in lungs. While on other hand they can do wonders when given in critical or severe infection.

Also, diabetic patients could adverse effects of steroids on their body.

 

This is a small step to help someone and get them knowledge about the basic terms or medicines that they purchase while standing in queues and waiting for the drug in its shortage. Many of them may have side effects other then given as every human body differ by 0.1% of their DNA. Therefore at any point of un-wellness after the consumption of any type of drug one should seek medical help as soon as possible.

Disclaimer : The information given above is given only to increase your knowledge, so it does not confirm its accuracy nor motivate you to take it without doctor’s advice .Do not take these medicines without doctor’s advice

Be safe. Be healthy. Be at home.