On 22 December the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorisation (EUA) for Pfizer’s Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in adults. Pfizer has also announced an agreement with the UK government to supply an additional 2.5 million treatment courses of its investigational candidate Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir), subject to local authorisation. This is in addition to the 250,000 treatment courses previously contracted by the UK government, bringing the total amount of treatment courses to 2.75 million.
So, what’s this wonder drug about then? This treatment is for those who have contracted covid-19, or display Covid-19 symptoms. The pill is one that sick people will take at home before they’re hospitalised. It is claimed that 89% of those patients treated didn’t need hospitalisation.
But there are now concerns that this drug may be dangerous for some people as it can cause liver damage. It is therefore advised not to be taken by those who have a preexisting liver or kidney condition.
There is also now a warning of possible side effects of this drug. It would appear that it can interact with other medications a person may be taking, and make those ineffective. These include statins, antidepressants, Thyroid hormone replacement therapy, to name just a few.
The FDA (US Food &Drugs) reports the following:
Q. Are there potential side effects of Paxlovid?
A. Possible side effects of Paxlovid include dysgeusia (altered or impaired sense of taste), diarrhoea, increased blood pressure, and myalgia (muscle aches). Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, which comprise Paxlovid, also interact with other medicines, which may lead to serious or life-threatening adverse reactions. Patients should tell their health care providers all of the medicines they are taking, including over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements, when deciding whether to take Paxlovid. Liver problems have occurred in patients receiving ritonavir. Therefore, caution should be exercised when administering Paxlovid to patients with pre-existing liver diseases, liver enzyme abnormalities, or hepatitis. Patients should talk with their health care provider if they have a history of liver problems. 12/22/2021 Paxlovid is not recommended for patients with severe kidney problems, and a different dose is needed for patients with moderate kidney problems. Patients should talk with their health care provider if they have a history of kidney problems.
I also went in search of any interaction with some of the various anti-rejection medications. Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus, Everolimus. Once again this is another quote:
Ritonavir dosed as a pharmacokinetic enhancer or as an antiretroviral agent inhibits CYP3A4 and as a result is expected to increase the plasma concentrations of cyclosporine, tacrolimus or everolimus. Careful monitoring of therapeutic and adverse effects is recommended when these medicines are concomitantly administered with ritonavir.
I think there could be a danger here that a liver consultant, and not a family doctor would be the best person to advise on the use of this tablet, but then having said that, I’ve not seen a liver consultant (due to Covid) for almost 2-years. So, that won't be an option for many.
I think the bottom line is to try and avoid using this medication for the time being as it may end up doing more harm than good.
This is for information only as I am not medically qualified in any way to voice an opinion or advise others.
The following website and video may be of interest: nbcnews.com/health/health-n...
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