The US Food and Narcotics Administration (FDA) has just released a new update in connection with the treatment option for Covid-19. As a result of updates, the FDA has removed authorization for two monoclonal antibody treatments. Starting January 24, 2022, this treatment will only be authorized in certain regions.
In the statement posted on the FDA website, further information was disclosed about this treatment and the reason why they were no longer approved. The treatment of affected monoclonal antibodies includes two mixed drugs: Bamlanivimab and Etesevimab, which is granted together, and regen-cov, which consists of casarivimab and IMdevimab. Because the FDA explained in its post, monoclonal antibodies were proteins made to copy the ability of the immune system to combat various dangerous pathogens, including viruses such as SARS-COV-2.
Although this treatment has shown several appointments with previous Coronavirus variants, they seem to be ineffective against the omicron variant that is raging. Therefore, the FDA chose to limit the use of this treatment only includes patients who may have been infected with other virus tension. In the United States, it’s a very short list of people.
Omicron variants need other treatments
The FDA stated that he chose to revise authorization for the treatment of monoclonal antibodies because “[they] were very unlikely to be active against the omicron variant.” When they come with a number of side effects (through UPMC), including allergic reactions, the FDA concludes that there is no reason to expose patients for this treatment – unless the person concerned is infected by a different Covid-19 variant.
According to the CDC, the omicron variant is now 99.9% of all Coronavirus cases confirmed in the United States. The Delta variant was all lost (0.1%,) and other variants did not exist. This means that monoclonal antibodies will be ineffective for 99.9% of infected individuals, and if they are not effective against the omicron variant, it makes sense for the FDA to move to other forms of drugs.
Authorization for these forms of treatment may not be lost forever. The FDA promises that in terms of other variant outbreaks of the Coronavirus novel, may once again ratify the use of monoclonal antibodies – as long as they are proven effective against new tensions.
Will Omicron be the end of the pandemic?
Fortunately, Omicron patients are not left without treatment because of this change. The FDA includes Paxlovid, Sotrovimab, Veklury (Remdesivir,) and Molnupiravir as a treatment option that has been proven effective against Omicron. These options are used to treat patients with covid-19 infections that are light to medium. At the same time, the FDA continues to emphasize the best way to remain protected is to be vaccinated and refresh the vaccine effect with a booster shot.
When we approach two years of pandemic in the United States, many ask themselves whether Omicron will eventually become the end of a pandemic. Statements from medical professionals and scientists exist throughout the media, with sometimes very contradictory opinions arise in this interview. Even though the spread of Omicron has been fast and has left many people with active antibodies behind it, it is impossible to say whether it will be enough to slow down the pandemic and bring the world back to normal.
Many choose to be careful in their verdict. Anthony Fauci said in an interview on Radio Davos, “This is an open question about whether Omicron will be a vaccination of the life virus that everyone expects.” Meanwhile, the World Health Organization urges the public so as not to assume that the Omicron variant will end the pandemic, and to remain cautious in the middle (through Reuters).