Objectives: Below we report our experience in the use of molnupiravir, the first antiviral drug against SARS-CoV-2 available to us, in the treatment of patients with COVID-19.
Materials and methods: We enrolled patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and comorbidities who were candidates for antiviral drug therapy. All patients received molnupiravir (800 mg twice daily). Blood chemistry checks were carried out at T0 and after 7/10 days after starting therapy (T1).
Results: There were enrolled within the cohort 100 patients. There was 100.0% compliance with the antiviral treatment. No patient required hospitalization due to worsening of respiratory function or the appearance of serious side effects. The median downtime of viral load was ten days (IQR 8.0-13.0), regardless of the type of vaccination received. The patients who had a shorter distance from vaccination more frequently presented vomiting/diarrhea. During baseline and T1 we found significant differences in the median serum concentrations of the main parameters, in particular of platelets, RDW CV, neutrophils and lymphocytes, the eGFR, liver enzymes, as well as of the main inflammatory markers, CRP and Ferritin.
Conclusion: Participants treated with molnupiravir, albeit in risk categories, demonstrated early clinical improvement, no need for hospitalization, and a low rate of adverse events.
Keywords: early therapy; less hospitalizations; molnupiravir; outpatient.