This COVID-19 Treatment Could Make More Variants

Merck's antiviral drug might be spurring new variants. Here's what you need to know.

Headlines for a healthier you Claire Bugos, Staff Writer Merck's COVID Antiviral Drug Might Be Spurring New Variants Molnupiravir is one of the last COVID-19 antivirals in the U.S. arsenal. It works by messing up the genome of the invading virus to keep it from replicating. In a pre-print, researchers say those mutations are causing new variants to arise. In some cases, the mutants appear to spread to multiple people. Know More Recent research shows molnupiravir does little, if anything, to prevent people sick with COVID-19 from hospitalization and death. Paxlovid still holds up against circulating variants. But many experts say the U.S. should invest in new antivirals to protect those most vulnerable to COVID-19. Feel Better There's no indication yet that the variants arising from molnupiravir use are more transmissible or cause more severe disease than other dominant variants. And the authors of the report say it's unlikely that the Omicron variants originated in people taking molnupiravir. READ MORE What Else Should You Know What Is apoB and What Can It Tell You About Your Heart Disease Risk? LDL cholesterol is usually an indicator of heart disease and stroke risks. Scientists now say that measuring a protein known as apoB could be an even more accurate test. For people at high risk for heart disease, getting tested for apoB at least once could give a more precise cholesterol measure and optimize care. READ NOW Is Red Dye Safe in Food Products? Synthetic red dyes have long been banned in U.S. cosmetics and topical drugs, but not in food. Some dyes are known animal carcinogens, and reports link them to hyperactivity in children. Though studies haven't yet proven the health harms of red No. 3 and No. 40, some experts say consuming them is not worth the risks. READ NOW In Other News How Teens Recovered From the TikTok Tics. The New York Times A Single Judge Could Outlaw the Abortion Pill Nationwide Next Week. Slate More From Verywell A Public Health Approach to Gun Violence READ MORE Is High Cholesterol Hereditary? READ MORE COVID-19 Treatments: Medications, Plasma, and Vaccines READ MORE Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. Unsubscribe This email was sent to jokesbyemail@gmail.com A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 225 Liberty St, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10281 ©2023. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service