IIT Roorkee finds Efavirenz may treat Chikungunya

A team of scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has found a potential treatment for Chikungunya, a viral disease spread by mosquitoes. This disease causes fever and severe joint pain. The researchers discovered that Efavirenz, a medicine used to treat HIV, may also help reduce the Chikungunya virus. The study showed that Efavirenz dramatically decreased virus levels in both lab-grown cells and infected mice. The Indian Council of Medical Research supported this study. Dr. Sanket Nehul, who led the study, mentioned that Efavirenz seems to disrupt the virus's replication process early on. The researchers noted that it also affects the Sindbis virus, which is related to Chikungunya. Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment for Chikungunya. While Efavirenz shows promise, further clinical trials are needed to test its safety and effectiveness on humans. Efavirenz is classified as a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, mainly used for HIV treatment. It lowers the amount of HIV in the bloodstream. Common side effects of Efavirenz include dizziness, tiredness, and problems with sleep. More research will help to understand the full potential and side effects of using Efavirenz for Chikungunya.