As the omicron wave hits a pandemic-weary nation, the first antiviral pills for Covid-19 promise much-needed protection for people at risk of serious illness. However, many people who are prescribed the new Pfizer or Merck drugs require careful monitoring by doctors and pharmacists, and the antiviral drugs may not be safe for everyone, experts warn.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved Pfizer’s Paxlovid for mild to moderate Covid in people 12 years and older who have underlying conditions that increase the risk of hospitalization and death from the coronavirus, such as heart disease or diabetes.
However, either of the two drugs in the antiviral cocktail could cause serious or life-threatening interactions with widely used drugs, including statins, blood thinners, and some antidepressants. And the FDA doesn’t recommend paxlovid for people with severe kidney or liver disease.
Read the full story on NBCNews.com.
Comments are closed.