US authorities have approved a COVID-19 drug called Paxlovid. It is intended for people over 12 years of age, especially those at risk of severe illness.
Clinical trials of the drug show that it prevents hospitalization and death of particularly vulnerable patients by 90 percent. At the moment, the data shows that it is also effective against the omicronic variant of the coronavirus.
The kit contains 10 tablets of nirmatrelvir, an anti-replication agent, and 20 tablets of ritonavir, a prolonging agent for the main agent. The FDA recommends taking two ritonavir tablets and one nirmatrelvir twice daily for five days.
Today’s decision introduces the first COVID-19 drug in oral tablet form; “This is an important step forward in the fight against the pandemic,” said Patricia Cavazzoni, FDA’s director of drug research. “This gives us a new tool to tackle COVID-19 at a critical moment when new options emerge,” she added.
Effective against infections caused by the Omicron variant.
According to Pfizer, the drug should also be effective for infections caused by the Omicron variant.
Possible side effects of the drug include: decreased taste, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and muscle pain.
The FDA is expected to soon decide on another oral anti-Covid-19 drug, Molnupiravir, made by Merck & Co. This drug is already approved for use, incl. European Medicines Agency.
In November, US President Joe Biden announced the purchase of 10 million Pfizer kits, announcing the first shipments later this year.