New Pfizer Anti-Viral Pill Interactions

[bayonnejoe1]

Looks like this, just approved in the States, is very problematic for us AFibers. "Some medications, such as particular statins, are most likely safe to stop taking during treatment with the Covid pills, Anderson said. For example, it might be better to stay on certain blood thinners but to lower the doses. Some heart rhythm drugs cannot be taken with Paxlovid."

nbcnews.com/health/health-n...

[MarkS]

That's interesting, thanks for that. It does appear as if the Pfizer pill (Paxlovid) does interact with all anticoags. This is due to one of the components, Ritonavir. With warfarin, the dose on some people had to be doubled to maintain INR. With DOACs, the drug caused bleeding. However, unlike warfarin, the blood effects cannot be monitored with DOACs, so their dose has been guesstimated and reduced.I think this is worth knowing in case you end up in hospital. In the UK you are probably more likely to end up with GSK's sotrovimab which appears safer with good efficacy against Omicron.

If Omicron does get much worse, then patients are likely to be sent home with antivirals like these. Just make sure they fully understand what drug regime you're on!

[CDreamer in reply to MarkS]

Interesting Mark, thanks for posting. I received a letter from NHS saying I would be given the antiviral if I reported COVID positive and they have posted me a priority PCR test kit to keep if I develop symptoms. Having spoken to a few people on disease modifying drugs I believe anyone on the very vulnerable list will have received similar?

I’m rather impressed with the system though somewhat concerned about monitoring?

[JaneFinn in reply to MarkS]

Thanks Mark, this is really helpful to know.

It bothers me that, as in many medical situations such as our AF, we will probably have to be our own expert. It’s ok when the evidence is there to be found, and the medics will take /have time to listen and treat us as individuals. But I fear with new med combinations like this, and in a pandemic situation, and with a time pressure to start the antivirals or not, it’s going to be a lot more tricky to know what’s best ...

So all information to help fore-arm us is very gratefully received! Jx

[CDreamer in reply to JaneFinn]

I agree, difficult to know what to do for the best. Thankfully I have a GP who does listen but the NHS & GP don’t communicate well as demonstrated by a recent question I put to my GP who answered - we have as much information as you as we only get told through press release when everyone else gets told. Thankfully we don’t have to deal with this - it’s NHS responsibility not ours.

I find that scary as it’s my GP who knows me but I read a report a few days ago which seemed to indicate that the algorithms the NHS is starting to use outperform prognosis. Some may find that scary.

[belindalore]

Interesting. Hope all Drs are paying attention to this.

[Auriculaire in reply to belindalore]

I wouldn't bet money on it!

[Tomred in reply to Auriculaire]

yes trust is at an all time low with drs

[secondtry in reply to Tomred]

..and I am afraid with regulatory authorities!

[ETHEL103 in reply to belindalore]

My thoughts exactly.

[JudyMarieC]

Good information. Thank you for posting!

[etheral]

Been looking for information concerning which antiarrythmics there might be interactions with. Haven't been able to find anything definitive yet

[JaneFinn]

Thank you for this - very interesting. Important info to have x

[Sunny-fl]

Very helpful information. Thank you for posting.