The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved two antivirals, Pfizer and Merck, making it the first home-based treatment for COVID-19 touted as a game changer in the fight against the pandemic.
However, experts told NBC News that pills require careful monitoring by doctors and pharmacists.
Pfizer’s Paxrovid is approved for use in children over the age of 12 with underlying illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, but the ingredients in antiviral cocktails are serious and life-threatening with drugs such as thinner, statins and depression. NBC reported that it may show threatening interactions.
“Some of these potential interactions are not trivial and some combinations must be avoided altogether,” Peter Anderson, a professor of pharmaceutical science at the University of Colorado, told NBC News.
“Some are probably easy to manage, but some we need to be very careful,” he added.
“The potential for Paxrovid drug-drug interactions (DDI) has been investigated in a series of invitro and clinical DDI trials,” a Pfizer spokeswoman said in a statement to Hill.
A spokeswoman further elaborated on the antiviral drug, stating that Paxlovid was composed of the active protease inhibitor nilmatrelvir and 100 mg of low-dose ritonavir.
“Effects on drug metabolism can cause drug interactions, and some drugs can be contraindicated. However, the treatment period for Paxrovid is as short as 5 days, with a low dose of 100 milligrams of ritonavir. Combined. Healthcare professionals believe that most DDIs should be considered generally manageable. “
“The product’s Emergency Use Authorization fact sheet contains information on drug interactions and contraindications. Health care providers will consider possible drug interactions before and during PAXLOVID treatment and during PAXLOVID treatment. We need to check the concomitant medications, “a spokeswoman added.
However, a spokesperson said, “As with many drugs with potential drug interactions, healthcare providers and patients need to consider the risk-benefit of initiating new treatments.”
According to the Associated Press, Molnupiravir in Merck is not allowed for children because it can interfere with bone growth and is not recommended for pregnant women because of possible birth defects.
AP also stated that Pfizer tablets are not recommended for patients with severe kidney or liver problems. It may also not be the best option for some people as it may interact with other prescriptions the patient is taking. Antivirals are not allowed for people hospitalized with COVID-19. This is because COVID-19 is mild or moderate and requires treatment options as soon as symptoms are felt.
The FDA also publishes a list of medications that should not be taken with Paxlovid.
However, approval of Pfizer pills earlier this month was seen as a major step forward in the fight against the virus, and trials showed that the risk of hospitalization or death for high-risk patients was reduced by 89%.
Pfizer predicts that 180,000 courses will be available by the end of 2021, with 30 million courses available worldwide in the first half of 2022 and an increase to 80 million by the end of next year. I am.
Updated: December 26, 2021 9:01 pm
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