Tag: Covid 19 treatment

Some studies have found that about 1 in 5 people who take Paxlovid experience a COVID-19 rebound. Understanding what to expect after taking Paxlovid for 5 days can help you navigate your recovery, including the possibility of returning symptoms.

Paxlovid has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 by nearly 90% in high-risk patients. Despite its effectiveness, this oral antiviral treatment is not suitable for everyone, and it is crucial to understand who should not take Paxlovid due to significant risks associated with certain health conditions and drug interactions.

Between 2021 and 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked Emergency Use Authorizations for several specific COVID-19 treatments. While this led to public questions asking why were monoclonal antibodies banned, the reality is more nuanced, involving a complex interplay of viral evolution, therapeutic effectiveness, and evolving safety data.

Remdesivir (brand name Veklury) was the first FDA-approved antiviral treatment for COVID-19, and unlike other treatments, it is administered solely as an intravenous (IV) infusion. Its administration method is a crucial factor in its clinical use, with a significant difference from oral antivirals, a distinction rooted deeply in its pharmacological properties.

According to a study published in the journal *Frontiers in Pharmacology*, over one-third of hospitalized COVID-19 patients treated with remdesivir developed bradycardia, a slow heart rate. This and other case reports have raised questions about whether remdesivir can damage the heart, though larger clinical trials have presented conflicting data.

While the FDA label states Paxlovid can be taken with or without food [1.2.2], certain items can interact with the medication. Understanding what foods should I avoid while taking Paxlovid is crucial for a safe and effective treatment course.

According to the FDA, side effects from Paxlovid are possible, though most are mild and well-tolerated by patients. When the medication makes you sick, the question, 'Can I stop taking Paxlovid if it makes me sick?' is a crucial one, and the short answer is: never without first consulting a healthcare professional.

Remdesivir (Veklury) reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 87% in some high-risk outpatient studies. A key question for this intravenous antiviral is: what is the extended duration of remdesivir and how does it influence treatment length?

Originally developed in 2009 by Gilead Sciences, the antiviral drug remdesivir was initially intended to combat hepatitis C and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) before being repurposed for its eventual, more famous applications. The history of remdesivir is a remarkable narrative of scientific repurposing, highlighting how a broad-spectrum antiviral candidate evolved from treating one family of viruses to becoming a key tool in global pandemic responses, including both Ebola and COVID-19.

Remdesivir (brand name Veklury) is an antiviral treatment administered exclusively as an intravenous (IV) infusion, not an oral pill. The search for 'what is the oral version of remdesivir' actually points to other oral antiviral medications that are available for treating COVID-19 in outpatient settings.