(Carrick Pharmacy News) An antiviral drug may cut the risk of dying from COVID-19 by 79 percent in older adults, according to a new study.
The drug in question is Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir). In addition to potentially reducing the risk of death, Paxlovid may reduce the risk of hospitalization by 73 percent in adults older than 65, this new study found.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Paxlovid in December of 2021 through an emergency use authorization.
The study that supported Paxlovid’s effectiveness at reducing the risk of death and hospitalization from COVID-19 took place in Israel during the surge of the Omicron variant.
During that time, millions of people were infected with COVID-19. This research looked at more than 1 million of those people in Israel, 3,900 of whom received Paxlovid.
The key takeaway? Older patients who received Paxlovid were 79 percent less likely to die than those who did not receive the drug. They were also 73 percent less likely to be hospitalized.
This research appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine.
This study didn’t receive any outside funding, and the study authors disclosed no potential conflicts of interest.
If you are concerned about your risk of complications related to COVID-19 infection, talk to your healthcare provider.
