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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,104
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

@Mindy D wrote:

@Drythe wrote:

I believe they gave Monoclonal Plasma at Walter Reed. 


@Drythe Reed used Regeneron, not convalescent plasma. Regeneron uses monoclonal antibodies. He also had an antiviral med, Remdesivir, and a steroid plus zinc, vitamin D, famotidine (the medication in Pepcid, for heartburn or acid reflux), melatonin and a daily aspirin


I think another monlclonal is by Lilly called bamlanivimab.

I heard a discussion that we have the treatment to keep people out of hospitals. The idea is to aggressively treat positive cases that fall within high risk metrics. 

 

Someone here can clarify my understanding. The monoclonal plasma is lab created antibodies vs the convalescent plasma derives the antibodies from those who have recovered from the virus.

 

It sounds like most positive cases are given palative care instructions with the caution to return if conditions worsen. I was wondering why more people are not more aggressively treated when first diagnosed. I assume the reason is a shortage of both convalescent and monoclonal antibody therapy. Some vip's report getting the therapy but I wondered if anyone knew of a regular someone able to get the infusion.

 

I'm not even asking if insurance covers the therapy. I'm wondering  how available is one of the covid antibody therapies?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 37,716
Registered: ‎05-22-2016

Re: convalescent plasma?

[ Edited ]

Monoclonal antibodies are some of the most expensive and difficult to make drugs in the world. That might be why they are not more readily available.

 

Monoclonal antibodies are not mass produced but produced only in small quantities.