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The ANSM has decided to limit the use of certain curative and prophylactic drugs against Covid-19 to infections by the Delta variant, these being inactive on the Omicron variant.
The Omicron variant, which explodes the number of contaminations, gives a hard time to certain treatments against Covid-19. Three drugs based on monoclonal antibodies authorized for early access are in fact the subject of “new conditions of use in curative and prophylaxis”, Informs the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) in a press release published on January 5.
Ronapreve: not to be used in front of Omicron
Indicated in the management of people at high risk of severe disease of Covid-19, these treatments are revealed ineffective against the Omicron variant. It is first of all the Ronapreve (casirivimab / imdevimab) from Roche-Regeneron: if “its use remains curative in patients infected with the Delta variant“, he “should not be administered”In the presence of the Omicron variant. “A screening must therefore be carried out before the administration of Ronapreve”, Explains the ANSM, which specifies however that“given the sometimes very long delays in obtaining the results of screening tests, access to Ronapreve may be considered on a case-by-case basis in view of the epidemiological situation at the local level”.
Evusheld: now the only one authorized for pre-exposure prophylaxis
Other treatment impacted: the Evusheld (tixagevimab / cilgavimab), AstraZeneca. “Despite a partial loss of activity on the Omicron variant”, He keeps“neutralizing activity”. This is why it now becomes the only treatment authorized for pre-exposure prophylaxis, thus completely replacing Ronapreve in this indication. “For people who have already received pre-exposure prophylaxis with Ronapreve, the switch to Evusheld should be made as soon as possible, or at the latest one month after the last injection of Ronapreve, and should not depend on a dosage. anti-S antibodies, adds the ANSM. In order to verify the absence of Sars-CoV-2 contamination, an RT-PCR test should be performed 72 hours before administration of Evusheld.”
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Bamlanivimab / etesivimab: inactive on Omicron
Finally, the Omicron variant discards the combination bamlanivimab / etesivimab of the Lilly laboratory: its activity is “not optimal”On the Delta variant and it is inactive on Omicron. “Its temporary authorization for use has been suspended since December 31, 2021; that of bamlanivimab (alone), which was no longer used since the availability of combinations of antibodies has, for its part, been definitively closed”, Explains the ANSM.
A note of hope, however: “other curative treatments are being evaluated and should soon be available in France”, Says the health authority.
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