Oral Antiviral Reduced Severe COVID-19 Risk by 89%

The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published an Original Article that concluded 'treatment of symptomatic COVID-19 with the oral nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (Paxlovid) resulted in an 89% reduction in risk of progression to severe COVID-19 than with placebo, without evident safety concerns.'

The Oral Nirmatrelvir for High-Risk, Nonhospitalized Adults with COVID-19 article, was published on February 16, 2022, based on phase 3 EPIC-HR clinical data in unvaccinated persons demonstrating the efficacy of oral administration of nirmatrelvir (300 mg) with ritonavir (100 mg) every twelve hours for five days.

Of importance, this clinical trial was restricted to unvaccinated persons, although a separate, ongoing trial of nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (EPIC-Standard Risk) includes vaccinated, high-risk persons.

This study was funded by Pfizer, Inc., the producer of Paxlovid.

Note: Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir) is contraindicated with the use of certain drugs because of potential adverse events.