With the current COVID-19 Number of deaths New data showing more than 1.1 million and more covid infections in the US It can hurt Brain, Heart, and Lungs It is clear that the disease is much more than a “bad flu.” Paxlovide is a combination of two drugs (nimatrelvir and ritonavir) that reduces the risk of severe symptoms and hospitalizations. But when there is a positive test, not enough people give the medicine. A A recent study It has been confirmed that only 15% of the people who are eligible for the drug have taken it at the National Institutes of Health. Here’s what you need to know about paxlovide, including who should take it and when.
How does paxlovide work?
Paxlovide is an antiviral treatment that helps your body fight Covid-19 faster and more effectively. in A clinical trial; Paxlovide was 89% effective in reducing hospitalization and death in unvaccinated and critically ill patients.
“Paxlovide consists of two different drugs – nirmatrivir and ritonavir – both in pill form.” Dr. Alexander FortenkoAn emergency medicine physician with Will Cornell Medicine speaks to Yahoo! Life. “Nirmatrelvir is a drug that prevents the production of an enzyme required for the reproduction of the Covid-19 virus. Another pill, ritonavir, reduces how quickly nirmatrelvir is broken down by the liver, giving it a boost.
When should you take Paxlovide? Is there anyone who should not take it?
The timing of taking paxolovide is important. “Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir should be started within the first five days of symptom onset and should be prescribed by a doctor.” Dr. Linda Yanceydirector of infection prevention at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, tells Yahoo Life. If you need to take the drug, call your health care provider as soon as you get sick and test positive for COVID-19. The course consists of taking three pills twice a day for five days, and patients should complete the prescription even if they feel better.
“Paxlovide is a treatment for adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older weighing at least 88 pounds who have mild to moderate COVID-19 and who are at risk for severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.” Hi Trandirector of drug use policy and clinical pharmacist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, tells Yahoo!
basis to the CDCPeople at risk for chronic disease include older adults, people with other health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer, people with disabilities, and certain ethnic minorities.
However, not everyone can take Paxlovide. It is not recommended for people with a low risk of serious illness and for people with allergies to any substance, people taking certain drugs such as statins and Viagra, pregnant or lactating, and liver or kidney disease.
Why don’t some doctors catch it?
There is no clear study of why some doctors do not prescribe paxlovide, but reasons may include initial shortages of the drug nationwide, doctors’ unfamiliarity with the drug, and people often coming to doctors after the five-day window has expired. He passed. There is concern about drug-to-drug interactions in people on other drugs, such as statins.
“Doctors may not all know the data on how much of a difference paxlovide can make in the right patient population,” Fortenko says. “Also, they may not know how to add or adjust patients’ regular medications to make paxlovide a safe and viable option.”
What are the side effects of paxlovide?
Paxlovide has relatively few side effects – the most common are temporary nausea, altered taste and diarrhea. Other side effects to watch out for are abdominal pain, high blood pressure, muscle pain and nausea. It’s also important to watch for signs of an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients, such as hives, skin rash, difficulty breathing, sore throat, and swelling of the mouth, lips, or face.
Some patients have reported experiencing rebounds, also known as COVID-19 rebounds or Paxlovid rebounds, which occur in people after the symptoms of COVID-19 have improved. However, studies have shown that relapses are less common after taking Paxlovide than in people who do not take the drug. It is now assumed that they are a. Covid-19 normal class The process of infection in some people. A A CDC study found Relapses occurred in less than 1 percent of people who took paxlovide.
“The recovery effect is not unique to people taking paxolovide,” says Tran. “And if you have a relapse, there’s no increased risk of death or hospitalization. And you don’t need to take extra paxlovide for it.”
Does paxlovide help prevent prolonged covid?
There is conflicting evidence for paxlovide in the long-term covid, also known as the post-covid condition. A study paxlovide reduce the risk Long-term covid for all participants, regardless of vaccination. However, another recent study showed that Paxlovide It does not decrease the danger. Because paxlovide is still a relatively new drug and the COVID-19 virus is still evolving, it may take some time before a definitive answer comes.
Should you get Paxlovid if you test positive for Covid-19?
If you test positive for COVID-19, it’s a good idea to ask your healthcare provider as soon as possible if taking Paxlovide is right for you. As a reminder, you need to do this within the first five days of symptoms to consider. And before taking the drug, you must meet all the criteria.
It is also important to follow the prescription. This means continuing the medication even if you feel better. Also, paxlovide should not be used to prevent covid-19 infections – only in people who test positive and are at risk of severe disease, as well as in people who meet other prescribing criteria.
“The best way to treat Covid-19 is to never get it,” says Yancey. Preventive measures such as hand washing, wearing a mask and timely vaccinations are still important to prevent the spread of the virus. But if these fail and you test positive, Paxlovid can help you avoid severe pain and recover faster.
Nsisong Asanga is a writer, public health physician and field epidemiologist.