JAIPUR:
Itolizumab
, a monoclonal antibody which was already approved for severe chronic plaque psorosis, has now been approved by the state government for treatment of
Covid
as a replacement for
tocilizumab injection. The decision was taken in the wake of unavailability and shortage of tocilizumab injection.
Tocilizumab, an effective interlukin-6 inhibitor, has always been part of treatment protocol of Covid, which help treatment of cytokine release syndrome associated with the virus. Tocilizumab was originally approved for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
In an order issued by the
health department
to all chief medical health officers across the state, the government informed that now itolizumab has been repurposed for Covid treatment.
Phase-2 clinical trial of the
drug
done by a firm shows that key inflammatory markers IL-6, TNF alpha were presented to have reduced significantly with the drug thereby preventing hyper-inflammation in Covid patients.
A health department official said the drug had also been approved by SMS Medical Colleges for replacement of tocilizumab due to its unavailability. Using of the drug for treatment of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome patients due to Covid.
The health department sought demand of the drug from the CMHOs so that orders for procurement of the drug will be issued.
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