Paxlovid is a new oral medication that has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA in mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) with positive results of direct severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. Paxlovid is the brand name for a combination of two separate active medications called Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir.
President Biden’s Test-to-Treat Initiative
Through this newly launched initiative, patients who test positive for COVID-19 will be able to have quick access to potentially life-saving, Paxlovid. Patients will be able to go through local pharmacy-based clinics, federally qualified community health centers, and residents of long-term care facilities will be assessed by a health care provider (HCP) who has the authority to prescribe the medication.
Who will need to take this medication? Who is high-risk for severe COVID-19 Infection?
The CDC has a resource that details conditions that may put patients at high-risk for developing severe COVID-19. These include the following:
What is in Paxlovid?
Paxlovid is an antiviral medication that helps fight the COVID-19 virus. It is an inhibitor of the enzyme responsible for viral replication of SARS-CoV-2. It is comprised of two 150 mg tablets of Nirmatrelvir with one 100 mg tablet of Ritonavir, with all three tablets taken together twice daily for 5 days. The medication is recommended to be administered as soon as COVID-19 symptoms begin or within 5 days of symptom onset.
Is Paxlovid Vegan?
The short answer is no. Technically, medications are not considered vegan because they often require animal testing during the drug development process. The accurate question is, “Is Paxlovid animal-free?”. Paxlovid is not animal-free due to lactose monohydrate, an inactive ingredient within the Nirmatrelvir tablets, which is commonly associated with dairy products.
What does the data show?
Efficacy: A landmark randomized-control trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) with 2,246 patients found that treatment of symptomatic Covid-19 with Nirmatrelvir plus Ritonavir resulted in an 89% lower risk of progression to severe Covid-19 when compared to placebo. This study was sponsored by the manufacturer, Pfizer.
Safety: Looking at the overall data, Paxlovid does not appear to have any significant safety concerns. Here is a table published in the NEJM summarizing its adverse effects.
Reference: Jennifer Hammond, Heidi Leister-Tebbe and Annie Gardner et al. Oral Nirmatrelvir for High-Risk, Nonhospitalized Adults with Covid-19. The New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2118542
Want more resources?
Visit COVID.gov for more information on COVID-19 testing, vaccines, treatments, protection, and travel.
Co-authored by: Angela Wolfe
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Disclaimer: The product and/or medical information provided on VeganMed is of a general nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or product.
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