Paxlovid, an antiviral drug, has been shown to be effective in preventing major COVID-19 illness. In non-hospitalized high-risk persons with COVID-19, PAXLOVID was found to minimize the probability of hospitalization or mortality by 89 percent when compared to placebo. It is the first oral antiviral of its kind, a specifically designed SARS-CoV-2-3CL protease inhibitor.

According to a new study, patients with COVID-19 who take Paxlovid are 5 times less likely to be hospitalized and 10 times less likely to die from the condition than those who do not.

 

 

 

About PAXLOVID: How does it works?

The three-pill regimen contains two different drugs: nirmatrelvir, which disrupts the novel coronavirus’s ability to replicate; and ritonavir, which slows down how quickly the body processes the drug. Each Pink Coloured Film coated tablet contains:

Nirmatrelvir…………150mg

Each White Coloured Film coated tablet contains:

Ritonavir……………100mg

PAXLOVID is an investigational SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitor antiviral therapy that is designed to be administered orally, allowing it to be prescribed at the first sign of infection or at the first awareness of an exposure, potentially saving patients from severe illness that can lead to hospitalization and death.

Nirmatrelvir inhibits viral replication at a stage known as proteolysis, which occurs before viral RNA replication. Co-administration with a low dose of ritonavir slows Nirmatrelvir metabolism, allowing it to remain active in the body for extended periods of time at higher concentrations to help treat the virus.

That study was supported by a June 2022 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which claimed that hospitalizations were rare for persons who tested positive for COVID-19 and had recently been treated with Paxlovid.

 

 

 

How to take it?

The three pills are taken twice daily during a 5-day course. Paxlovid is packaged in cartons containing 5 daily-dose foil blister cards of 30 tablets Each daily blister card contains 4 Nirmatrelvir tablets (Pink) and 2 ritonavir tablets (White).

As is with most antiviral medications, they are most efficacious when taken early on in the disease course. Currently, not everyone is eligible to be prescribed Paxlovid. Paxlovid is not now available to everyone who qualifies. At the time, the medicine is only provided to people who have particular medical conditions that place them at a higher risk of getting severe COVID-19.

These illnesses, however, have since been broadened to include asthma, diabetes, and obesity. An individual must be at least 12 years old and weigh at least 88 pounds in order to participate. If you test positive for COVID-19, your doctor can recommend Paxlovid as soon as feasible, according to experts.

 

 

 

Side effects and Interactions

The known side effects of Paxlovid are mild with one of the most common being a sensation of bitterness or metallic taste in the mouth while taking the drug. Other symptoms include diarrhea, high blood pressure, and muscle aches.

Contraindicated drugs include anti-cancer medication, certain antipsychotics and analgesics, certain sedatives, and even herbal remedies such as St. John’s wort.

 

 

 

 

References

Curley, C. (2022, July 28). Paxlovid: Who's Eligible and How to Get Pfizer's COVID-19 Antiviral Drug. Retrieved from Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/paxlovid-whos-eligible-and-how-to-get-pfizers-covid-19-antiviral-drug

McCallum, K. (2021, December 21). How Do COVID-19 Antiviral Pills Work & Who Is Eligible to Receive Them? Retrieved from HOUSTON METHODIST: https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2021/dec/how-do-covid-19-antiviral-pills-work-who-is-eligible-to-receive-them/

Pfizer’s Novel COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Treatment Candidate Reduced Risk of Hospitalization or Death by 89% in Interim Analysis of Phase 2/3 EPIC-HR Study. (2021, November 5). Retrieved from Pfizer: https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizers-novel-covid-19-oral-antiviral-treatment-candidate

 

 

 

 

---

Find articles related to: Medicine Telehealth Health COVID-19 Treatment Oral anti-viral therapy


More articles about General Health Tips & News

Back to the Health Tips Index