Can Regeneron COVID Antibody Treatment Make a Difference?

The world is trying to combat the COVID-19 pandemic by various means. Several countries are working on vaccines and medication to treat people affected by Coronavirus. Meanwhile, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, a US-based company, has come up with a combination medicine that has been authorized to be administered to COVID-19 patients. The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency authorization of the drugs casirivimab and imdevimab in regulated doses as a monoclonal antibody treatment. Monoclonal antibodies are made in the lab by typically cloning a white blood cell to fight a virus that enters the immune system. These antibodies can easily attach themselves to the substances in the body and are used in the treatment of asthma, viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and even cancer.

Who Can Take up the COVID Antibody Treatment?

FDA has approved the administration of these medicines through IV to individuals above the age of 12 who tested positive for Coronavirus. These lab-made proteins are experimental drugs that should be administered by medical professionals only. Individuals above the age of 65, who are prone to be severely affected by COVID-19 can also get this treatment. 

Who Should Not Take up the COVID Antibody Treatment ?

COVID-19 patients who are hospitalized for severe infection or those who are in need of oxygen/ ventilation because of the severity are not supposed to be administered with the casirivimab + imdevimab treatment. The possible side effects of this medicine in patients with severity includes fever, chills, allergies, breathlessness, etc. 

This is the first ever prospective drug that has received approval from the FDA ever since the onset of the pandemic. It is said to be highly beneficial for high-risk patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infections. President Donald Trump recently took this combination drug treatment recently when he tested positive for Coronavirus.