Molnupiravir: From Hope to Epic Fail?
Daniele Focosi
Abstract
Molnupiravir has been the first oral antiviral authorized for COVID-19 outpatients, reporting extraordinary sales and preserved in vitro efficacy against Omicron sublineages so far. However, it has recently been associated with very poor clinical efficacy, the risk of creating novel SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, and long-term risk for mutagenicity in humans. The latter two are severe concerns, especially in the indicated population, i.e., long-replicating, immunodeficient patients. We conclude that, at this point, alternative antivirals should be preferred over molnupiravir.
Topics & Concepts
EPICCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)PopulationMedicine2019-20 coronavirus outbreakIntensive care medicineVirologyInternal medicineEnvironmental healthDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)ArtOutbreakLiteratureSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchViral gastroenteritis research and epidemiologySARS-CoV-2 detection and testing