After being in the pandemic for 2 going into 3 years, it’s safe to say that everyone is absolutely tired. With the amount of loss the world has faced within the last 2 years, to the enormous amount of restrictions when it comes to where to go and how to maneuver outside, the people are drained. Though we have every right to be drained, cures and treatments take work. With the way COVID-19 hit the world like the plague it is, scientists could only move so fast when it came to combating the prevention and spreading of this disease, but they have been working. Scientists have created a vaccination to help prevent the spread of COVID. Now, it seems as they have come up with something else for COVID. Will it finally be the answer the world has been waiting for?
On December 22, 2021, the FDA approved the first oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19.
This oral treatment was created by the scientist of the Pfizer brand, the same company that created one of the COVID-19 vaccinations.
This new treatment called Paxlovid was approved for emergency use. This means it hasn’t been completely approved by the FDA. It has only been approved for emergency use in authorized patients.
It is made up of nirmatrelvir, which stops the protein that consists of COVID from reproducing. Ritonavir, a protease inhibitor, helps slow the breakdown of nirmatrelvir so it has the opportunity to stay in the body for longer than it would with high concentrations.
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The antiviral Paxlovid is a three pill or co-packaged oral treatment to be taken by adults and children 12 years and older who suffer from a mild to moderate case of COVID-19 and are at a higher risk of the disease becoming more severe in their body.
The first two pills in the trio were created to restrain the protein SAR-CoV-2 and stop it from replicating.
The third pill is to slow the first two pills from breaking down too fast in your body so the first ones can work to their full potential. The three pills are to be taken together orally twice a day and should not be taken for more than 5 days. Paxlovid is prescription only and should be taken as soon as you are diagnosed with COVID-19. After a thorough investigation on the products, the FDA has proved that there are more benefits from taking the antiviral treatment than there are risks, making them acceptable for emergency use at this time.
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Though this new antiviral sounds like it can be a cure for everyone, unfortunately, just like with other medications, there are some people who should not take this pill trio.
For people living with severe kidney or liver problems, Paxlovid is not recommended. The use of Paxlovid in people living with undiagnosed or uncontrolled HIV is also not recommended because it can lead to HIV drug resistance.
There are a few side effects that come with taking this oral treatment. Some side effects include diarrhea, high blood pressure, aches in your muscles and a flawed sense of taste.
The third pill (ritonavir) can cause liver damage, so it’s important to speak with your doctor about the use of this treatment if you are currently living with liver problems. There are certain medications that cannot be taken while taking Paxlovid or right before you take the antiviral. To find out which medications should not be taken before or during your prescribed antiviral treatment, visit this list here.
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Though it can play a major role in ending the COVID-19 pandemic, it most likely won’t be the only saving factor. The biggest thing that will put an end to this pandemic is stopping the spread of the virus by getting your vaccination shots and the recommended booster to follow.
The oral antiviral was created to help fight COVID once it enters your body and has the possibility to worsen.
In all actuality, the world needs both at the moment. The antiviral to help prevent more people from dying or suffering from worsening symptoms and the vaccination and booster shot to help stop the spread of COVID. It takes many steps to fight off a plague such as this one and though the world has made some progress, it’s important that we all do our part to do more and continue this progression to fight COVID-19.
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