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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFDA authorizes new COVID treatment, a Pfizer pill people can take at home
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/12/22/covid-cases-vaccines-test-kits-omicron-boosters/8989209002/The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized use of a new antiviral pill that can be taken at home to help prevent people sick with COVID-19 from becoming severely ill.
Paxlovid, made by Pfizer, reduced the risk of severe disease by nearly 90% in clinical trials and appeared to be safe. Taken as a pill soon after COVID-19 symptoms start, it is intended for people at high risk for severe disease, including those over 65, people with obesity or diabetes and anyone with a weakened immune system, as well as high-risk children ages 12 and up.
The pill is easier to deliver than previous treatments, which had to be given by injection or infusion, but requires a prescription and swallowing 40 pills over 5 days. The drug works best when given within 5 days of symptom onset and not well at all after 7 days, studies show. Some hospitals and pharmacies are working to reduce the time between a positive test, receipt of a prescription and access to the pills.
Pfizer stands ready to begin delivery in the U.S. immediately to help get PAXLOVID into the hands of appropriate patients as quickly as possible, Pfizer chairman and CEO Albert Bourla said in a prepared statement.
The U.S. government has pre-purchased doses to provide at no cost, but it's not clear how quickly it can be made widely available.
Paxlovid, made by Pfizer, reduced the risk of severe disease by nearly 90% in clinical trials and appeared to be safe. Taken as a pill soon after COVID-19 symptoms start, it is intended for people at high risk for severe disease, including those over 65, people with obesity or diabetes and anyone with a weakened immune system, as well as high-risk children ages 12 and up.
The pill is easier to deliver than previous treatments, which had to be given by injection or infusion, but requires a prescription and swallowing 40 pills over 5 days. The drug works best when given within 5 days of symptom onset and not well at all after 7 days, studies show. Some hospitals and pharmacies are working to reduce the time between a positive test, receipt of a prescription and access to the pills.
Pfizer stands ready to begin delivery in the U.S. immediately to help get PAXLOVID into the hands of appropriate patients as quickly as possible, Pfizer chairman and CEO Albert Bourla said in a prepared statement.
The U.S. government has pre-purchased doses to provide at no cost, but it's not clear how quickly it can be made widely available.
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FDA authorizes new COVID treatment, a Pfizer pill people can take at home (Original Post)
CousinIT
Dec 2021
OP
viva la
(3,320 posts)1. Antivaxxers hate Pfizer.
Let's see how they react to this. Will they refuse this too?
Tommymac
(7,263 posts)6. Of coarse they will. But that is not the focus around this announcement.
It means that not as many people are going to get seriously ill, or suffer really foul symptoms.
It relieves Human Suffering a bit.
Does nothing for Human STUPIDITY.
viva la
(3,320 posts)9. Alas, there's no cure for stupidity--
Education only goes so far.
mbusby
(823 posts)2. That's 40 pills over 5 days ...
... at 8 pills a day. Wow.
Tommymac
(7,263 posts)5. Would you rather be in the ICU on a ventilator? nt
48656c6c6f20
(7,638 posts)8. 40 pills vs. 1 big death, let me think about it
Oh no I really don't. I was just wasting your time.
50 Shades Of Blue
(10,053 posts)3. K & R!
Tommymac
(7,263 posts)4. Great News!
Coupled with the announcement that the US Army has developed a vaccine that will prevent ALL SARS virus infections and ALL COVID19 present and future variants, this is a good week for some good Pandemic news.
Tomconroy
(7,611 posts)7. Have to get it to people really early.