New COVID-19 Drug 2-DG.
                     New COVID-19 Drug 2-DG
Introduction
• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on 
Monday launched the anti-COVID drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose or 2-DG developed by 
the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Source: english.jagran.com
What is 2-DG?
• The drug, 2-DG has been developed by the DRDO in collaboration with Dr 
Reddy's Laboratories. 
• It received Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approval for emergency use 
after the medicine was found to be safe for treating COVID-19 patients in its 
phase 2 trials. 
Source: english.jagran.com
What does the drug mean?
• The 2-DG anti-Covid drug is expected to reduce dependence on medical oxygen 
in Covid-19 infected patients. The pseudo glucose molecule in the drug stops the 
virus in the tracts. 
Source: english.jagran.com
Clinical Trial
• Data from the trials reveal that the drug could speed the recovery of hospitalised 
Covid patients and reduce their dependency on medical oxygen. 
• It was found 42 per cent of the patients who were given two sachets of the drug 
daily did not need critical oxygen supply by the third day.
Source: english.jagran.com
Trial data
• The phase 2 clinical trials were carried out to test the safety and efficacy of the 
drug in Covid-19 patients. 2-DG was found to be safe in Covid-19 patients, and 
showed significant improvement in their recovery,
Source: english.jagran.com
Is it effective?
• The medicine has been found effective in moderate and serves Covid cases. It 
even works well for people above the age of 65 years. 
• However, the medicine does not guarantee recovery alone, but it will be a part of 
the treatment.
Source: english.jagran.com
How is it consumed?
• The medicine comes in powder form and must be taken orally with water.
Source: english.jagran.com
How much will it cost?
• The pricing of the drug has not been announced yet. However, sources say each 
sachet of the drug is expected to cost Rs 500 to Rs 600.
Source: english.jagran.com
Limited availability
•  It is not available over the counter now. A limited quantity of the drug is being 
produced by Dr Reddy’s Lab for hospitals only.
Source: english.jagran.com
Advantages
• According to the government, 2-DG being a generic molecule and an analogue of 
glucose, it can be easily produced and made available in large quantities.
Source: english.jagran.com