What you don’t know and what you should know about the oral miracle drug for COVID-19

After more than a year in the spotlight, the “side effects” of the COVID-19 vaccine may have become familiar. In the same way, through the news media, you may also be beginning to learn about the effectiveness of oral COVID-19 wonder drugs and be impressed by them. Now, in the wake of omicron’s massive zero clearance (which, of course, is negative in the U.S.), many COVID-19 patients, regardless of their severity, often ask their doctors to prescribe a “miracle drug,” while uninfected people sometimes ask their doctors, “Can I have a miracle drug on hand? In case of infection, they can start taking medicine as soon as possible.

The so-called specific drugs, of course, can only be targeted at specific groups of people, the first is the patient must be diagnosed with symptomatic treatment; It is to be taken within 5 days after coming on the next ability is effective. There are currently two oral drugs in the United States that the FDA has authorized for emergency use for mild-onset COVID-19 infections. With the current record number of new coronavirus cases, the number of oral doses available is far from meeting demand, and not all patients infected with the Novel Coronavirus will benefit from the so-called “wonder drug”.

Pfizer’s Paxlovid consists of the small molecule Nirmatrelvir, an inhibitor of the novel Coronavirus master protease, and Ritonavir, an antiviral synergist. Paxlovid reduced hospitalization rates by more than 88% in phase 2/3 trials. It is currently approved for use in patients over 12 years of age who weigh at least 40 kg.

Merck’s Molnupiravir, a nucleoside analog, works by binding to the virus’s RNA polymerase and introducing the wrong nucleotide into the synthetic RNA molecule, causing the virus to die from too many RNA errors. The Phase III trial of Molnupiravir looked at high-risk patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms and showed a 30% reduction in hospitalization rates. It is currently recommended for use in adult patients over 18 years of age.

2 thoughts on “What you don’t know and what you should know about the oral miracle drug for COVID-19

  1. J.C.Ttrezise says:

    Technically, you could cycle between 3 to 4 masks for Covid proof re-usability. Although healthcare workers might also need to change masks more frequently. Brilliant article as always!

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