Reliance proposes Niclosamide usage, a tapeworm treatment drug, against COVID-19

Reliance's R&D team has proposed the use of Niclosamide, a tapeworm infestation treatment drug against COVID. The company has submitted a proposal to ICMR for the administration of Niclosamide as a potential drug against COVID-19. The company builds on a study from researchers at the University Hospital in Trieste, Italy. They had found Niclosamide to be effective in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. In the study, they had explained how the drug can help fight the deadly pathogen. The Indian government has already given clearance for the Phase 2 clinical trials of Niclosamide in COVID-19 treatment in adult patients. And now, ICMR will evaluate the potential use of the drug for COVID or SARS-COV-2.

Another study, dating back to 2004, found that Niclosamide, an existing antihelminthic drug, was able to inhibit replication of a newly discovered coronavirus, SARS-CoV. This study was a predecessor to the use of the tapeworm drug to treat patients during the SARS outbreak of 2003-04. It concluded that since the antihelminthic drug can treat parasite diseases in humans, it would also help in the treatment of SARS patients; alone or in combination with other drugs.

What is Niclosamide?

Niclosamide is an anthelmintic, which means it kills parasitic worms. Anthelmintics help treat worm infections such as large or fish tapeworm, dwarf tapeworm, and beef tapeworm. It kills tapeworms when they come into contact with it and then helps pass it through stools. Not only SARS-COV, but many recent studies have also shown Niclosamide's use against human Rhinovirus, Influenza viral, and Dengue.

Note: These are the conclusion of researches and CIOL advises not to take Niclosamide without a doctor prescription.

Other initiatives of Reliance Against COVID-19

The Reliance R&D team is also working with several CSIR labs to certify Nexar polymer. Nexar is effective in destroying the lipid layer of various viruses and bacteria, Reliance said in the annual report. Further, the company also developed the R-Green COVID-19 detection kits to help in the early detection of the virus. As per the company annual report, it is also developing the tech to use a CPAP machine with a 3D-printed charlotte valve and special snorkelling mask as ventilator substitutes.

RIL has also supplied over 55,000 tonnes of medical-grade liquid oxygen to date. It is now working on a value-engineered robust design for oxygen generators.