Problematic in the global medical community challenge research evidence, according to which, an antiviral drug used to treat patients with Covid-19 it may instead cause mutations in the virus and thus fuel the evolution of new variants.

The essence molnupiravir is theoretically designed to destroy the coronavirus, however researchers have noted that the virus can sometimes survive, leading to mutated versions that are occasionally transmitted.

There is no evidence that molnupiravir has created more dangerous variants of Covid, but the scientists point out that the mutations increased the genetic diversity of the virus in nature and provided more potential for future evolution.

They say the findings are important for ongoing assessments of the risks and benefits of molnupiravir and other drugs in development that work in a similar way.

The scientists describe in the journal Nature evidence suggesting that molnupiravir may occasionally produce highly mutated but viable forms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The consequences of the mutations are not yet clear, however, most mutations of the virus are estimated to they will weaken him rather than make him more dangerous.

As for the fact that molnupiravir lowers virus levels in the first week but seems to rise again at two weeks, this could be if the drug kills the virus but creates mutant versions that are stronger at evading the immune defenses of patients. patients.

The aforementioned data reasonably raise questions regarding whether it is appropriate to ultimately use molnupiravir.

Stephen Griffin, professor of cancer virology at the University of Leeds, who was not involved in the study, comments indicatively:

“Given this new evidence there is a suggestion that we should consider whether molnupiravir should be used alone – but it should not be dismissed and could be valuable if used in combination with other drugs».