Pfizer Paxlovid A Game Changer !!!

[DanBro1]

Here is a short blurb from a GoodRx email I received about the new Pfizer anti-viral pill Paxlovid. This is a game changer for those of us with CLL weaken immune system. When Paxlovid is taken within 3 days of COVID-19 symptom onset, it successfully decreases the risk of being hospitalized by 89% for patients that are at high risk of COVID-19 progressing to severe illness. Paxlovid does not rely on your antibodies to fight Covid. Paxlovid is like an antibiotic (think Z-Pack killing strep throat). Paxlovid hunts and kills the Covid virus - your antibodies are not a factor in its performance. Here in San Antonio, I called my HEB pharmacy (HEB grocery chain, the largest in Texas with 350 locations, 45 stores/pharmacies in San Antonio). I was told that my nearby HEB pharmacy does not stock Paxlovid. Only one San Antonio HEB pharmacy stocked Paxlovid; one HEB pharmacy in Austin (75 miles away); one HEB pharmacy in Corpus Christi (150 miles away); and one HEB pharmacy in Houston (200 miles away). I was told that IF I had a prescription, they would get the pills to me from the closest pharmacy with stock at that time. If you are a US resident, I suggest you be proactive and call around early to see who has Paxlovid in your area. I do not know the availability of Paxlovid outside of the US, but I would think it is also available in limited quantities, like here in Texas.

[AussieNeil Administrator]

I added to our Coronavirus Treatment Update Pinned post yesterday: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

US COVID-19 Public Therapeutic Locator

Locations of publicly available COVID-19 Therapeutics. Dataset only includes locations for Evusheld (monoclonal antibody), Molnupiravir (antiviral), and Paxlovid (Antiviral). COVID-19 therapeutics require a prescription to obtain. Limitations: public contact information

healthdata.gov/Health/COVID...

Neil

[CLLerinOz Administrator Volunteer in reply to AussieNeil]

Unfortunately, I believe the announced doses of Paxlovid aren’t yet in Australia and it could be another few weeks before they’re available here.

[MickUK]

It could be available in the UK by Feb 10th according to the Telegraph (If the NHS left hand knows what the NHS right hand is doing, of course):

Covid ‘wonder pill’ that dramatically cuts death risk to be ready in weeks

A Covid-19 antiviral drug will be delivered to the homes of those most at risk of coronavirus within weeks, the Government has announced.

The UK’s second antiviral pill, PF-07321332+ritonavir, also known as Paxlovid, will be made available to thousands of people from February 10.

Clinical studies have suggested the drug, which is made by Pfizer, can cut the risk of hospital admission or death by 88 per cent if given in the first five days of symptoms.

The drug was approved by the medicines regulator last month for adults who could be vulnerable to coronavirus due to age, weight or prior chronic illness.

One other antiviral, molnupiravir, and sotrovimab, the monoclonal antibody, are already being given to high-risk patients, with nearly 10,000 people treated to date.

People in the highest risk groups have already been informed by the NHS if they have a condition that will make them eligible to receive the treatments.

Eligible patients who receive a positive test will be assessed by a doctor from an NHS Covid Medicines Delivery Unit over the phone, who will discuss the most appropriate treatment for them.

Those who are prescribed Paxlovid will be able to get someone to collect it from one of the units or have it delivered to their home.

Sajid Javid, the Health and Social Care Secretary, said: "Our pharmaceutical defences are crucial as we learn to live with Covid-19 and the UK is leading the way, especially when it comes to the use of cutting-edge antivirals.

"This is an important milestone - especially as Paxlovid has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the risk of hospitalisation or death for vulnerable patients by 88 per cent, meaning potentially thousands of lives could be saved."

[Jonquiljo]

Its good stuff. While it may interact with a lot of other meds, your Dr and/or pharmacist can tell you what meds to hold back on /reduce To minimize any interaction. Most people should be able to take it.

The only problem is that its hard to get even though (in the USA) we’ve ordered 20Million courses. What someone forgot to compute is that the synthesis of Paxoid takes about 6 months. So don’t get Covid just yet! Supplies will be better March/April.

You also need a positive Covid test to get an Rx for Paxlovid. Best to get a rapid PCR (available in some areas for a fee). Most regular PCR tests take 4-5 days for a result - unless you get lucky. Bet to get sick and tested on a Monday!

Home antigen tests are good proof, but word is coming out that they may read negative until a couple of days into a Covid infection. So plan accordingly.

I only know of one person to take Paxlovid, but it was a breeze for them and they felt better quickly.

[FightingCLL]

Thanks for the post and good news. I live in Austin so I shop at HEB. But will also call Walgreens.

[May1270]

healthdata.gov/Health/COVID...

[DanBro1]

FightingCLL..... Thanks for the reply. I didn't check, but I bet Walmart has it in stock in Austin someplace nearby, as well. By the way, I have a grandson who is a senior at UT-Austin. His mom (my daughter) and dad are A&M grads. Go figure... LOL!!

[Ghounds]

Not holding my breath for the UK NHS to get these out any more efficiently than they did the priority PCR tests.

After a whole week of trying and failing to get a repeat prescription I've completely lost faith in the whole system and am writing my will.