New drug to release for increasing platelet counts in dengue patients

A new drug has been launched for the treatment of dengue patients with low platelet counts by the Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Limited (KAPL), a government enterprise.

The drug, POPe, contains papaya leaf extracts (carica papaya leaf extract) in the form of a tablet and is available at a strength of 1100 mg, a KAPL press release stated.

KAPL, engaged in manufacturing and marketing of life saving quality drugs, said POP-e was a time-tested economical medicine for the treatment of dengue.

It would be available on doctors' prescription from Thursday in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the release said.