Chennai-based Apex Laboratories has received approval from Government of India (Ministry of AYUSH) regulators for anti-viral drug Clevira. The drug can be used as a supporting measure for mild to the moderate condition of COVID-19. 

The drug has undergone various scrutinies at The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and Inter-Disciplinary Technical Review Committee (ITRC), a 12 member technical committee constituted by the Ministry of AYUSH and headed by Dr SK Maulik, Former Professor, Department of Pharmacology, AIIMS. 

Clevira, an approved antiviral formulation, is used for the treatment of various viral infections including viral fever associated with or without thrombocytopenia. Clevira has proven its efficacy as an analgesic, antipyretic and reversal of thrombocytopenia apart from its antiviral property. Clevira has ten potent standardised extracts, many of them antiviral, including papaya leaf extract. 

Studies indicate it doesn’t have any adverse reactions on vital organs. It is found to be safe on renal and hepatic parameters. The results from clinical trials concluded in September 2019, were published in International Journal of Innovative Research in Medical Sciences.     

A phase III Clinical trial was carried out in Government Medical College, Omandurar Govt Estate Chennai. The trial outcomes revealed Clevira having an 86 per cent recovery rate on the fifth day of treatment in mild to moderate COVID-19 and a 100 per cent recovery rate noticed on the tenth day of treatment, as per RT PCR or CT values. Clinical recovery from all signs and symptoms were registered on 4.1 days. The drug is proven to be safe on kidney and liver parameters. 

Clevira is effective when taken orally and the dosage is one tablet twice daily after food for 14 days. The drug is available as a tablet and in syrup form too. The cost of the entire therapy is less than Rs 500. Each tablet of Clevira costs only Rs 11. The drug is effective for kids and can be given as a prophylactic for frontline workers.