According to an official press release statement by Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, “This authorization provides a new tool to combat COVID-19 at a crucial time in the pandemic as new variants emerge and promises to make antiviral treatment more accessible to patients who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19.”
The antiviral pill is a combination of two medications: Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir. The first antiviral was designed to prevent the coronavirus from replicating itself, and the second increases the effectiveness of the Nirmatrelvir. Paxlovid will be prescribed by doctors and pharmacists, and it consists of 30 pills that should be taken three times daily over the course of 5 days.
The faster you begin taking Paxlovid, the more effective the treatment will be. According to the clinical trial done on more than 2,200 people, treatment given within the first 5 days after symptoms appear reduces the risk of death and hospitalization by 88%. This means that rapid testing is crucial for getting this treatment. Mind you that the trial was conducted in individuals with a higher risk of developing severe Covid-19.
According to the FDA, the side effects of Paxlovid include muscle aches, reduced taste, high blood pressure, and diarrhea.
The advantage of Paxlovid is clear. Unlike other Covid-19 treatments that must be injected or administered via an IV and require hospitalization, Paxlovid can be taken at home. So it will, hopefully, not only prevent hospitalizations and deaths, but it will also reduce the spread of the coronavirus in medical facilities.
The FDA approved Paxlovid for adults and kids 12 or older, and the treatment will be prescribed to those with a higher risk to get severe Covid-19, such as senior citizens and people with preexisting medical conditions.
That being said, not everyone will be able to take this medication. First and foremost, Paxlovid has not been tested in pregnant people, so it’s unclear if it’s safe during pregnancy. In addition, those suffering from severe kidney or liver damage are advised against taking Paxlovid because the drug is metabolized in the liver and kidneys. One of the components - ritonavir - is also known to interfere with certain medications, so the drug cannot be purchased over-the-counter.
Another factor that may prevent everyone from getting this new antiviral pill is increasing demand. According to the Washington Post, the US government ordered 10 million courses of Paxlovid from Pfizer, but the producer says that they will only have 180,000 units ready by the end of 2021, and it’s unknown how many of those will be rationed to the US.
Meanwhile, the Omicron variant is estimated to cause another surge of new coronavirus cases in the United States, with some estimates expecting up to 1 million new cases daily. Therefore, the public will likely require other antiviral treatments combined with ongoing vaccinations to experience a real turning point in the fight against Covid-19.
Share this information with others!
New COVID-19 Medication Kills 99.9 Percent of the Virus
Researchers in Australia have developed the first-ever COVID-19 medication, and it eliminates 99.9% of the virus and halts its spread in the body.
Flurona - When the Flu and COVID-19 Overlap
Can you really catch the flu and coronavirus simultaneously? And if so, how can you tell that you’ve got ‘flurona’? Read on to find out.
Listen to the Story of a Woman Who Had COVID-19 For a Year
This young woman is a professor of social epidemiology, and her story is one everyone must hear. She shares her experience of having COVID-19 for a full year.
No More Needles: New Diabetes Treatment in a Pill Approved
Certain patients with advanced type 2 diabetes may soon have the opportunity to abandon injections and switch to a new pill
How to Detect a Fake COVID Test - Buyer Beware!
Scammers are tricking unsuspecting consumers by selling fake COVID tests and setting up false testing sites. Here's how to spot the liars!
COVID-19 - 6 Important Developments to Be Aware Of
With variants of COVID-19 emerging every month now and new vaccines being approved and tested, this month has been quite dense in terms of Covid news...
Do You Really Need to Walk 10K Steps Every Day?
The 10,000 steps a day myth is ingrained in our minds. In this post, Harvard professor Dan Lieberman explains why it's not as black-and-white as it seems.
Simple Tips for Giving Your Brain a Well-Deserved Rest
In this video, you'll find valuable tips for giving your brain the respite it needs from the never-ending stress of daily life.
For Great Health, Add Goji Berries to Your Shopping List!
From fighting aging to a super-charged immune system, this miracle fruit carries with it so many health benefits it should be in everyone's shopping cart.
The Perfect Seated Core Workout for Seniors and Beginners
In this video, two physical therapy experts will guide you through a short seated core strengthening workout suitable for seniors and beginners.
An Ancient Chinese Story with a Lovely Moral
This beautiful Chinese tale tells the story of a maid and how she learned respect for her mother-in-law
Five Habits that Secretly Cause Heartburn
Learn everyday habits that may seem harmless and insignificant but could actually exacerbate the condition and make heartburn unbearable.
I Never Knew That Cassia Cinnamon Is Poisonous!
Not all cinnamon is good for you. Shockingly, most of the cheap cinnamon, cassia, can cause liver damage. Here's how to avoid it.
Alzheimer's And Meat Eating: Addressing the Connection
Does eating a lot of meat have a connection to Alzheimer's? We examine the evidence.
Let's Talk About the Anti-Cancer Benefit of Sweet Potatoes
Lets Talk About the Anti-Cancer Potential of Sweet Potatoes
How to Effectively Improve Leg Circulation by About 75%
Here’s how you can improve blood circulation in your legs and feet effectively.
The Health Benefits of Waking Up to Lemon Water
Lemon water is nutritious, here is why you should drink water with lemon every day.
Forget Olive Oil, it's the Leaves Where the Power Lies
Olives and olive oil are on everyone's shopping lists. But what about olive leaves? Here we list 10 health benefits to be had from olive leaf extract.
3 Ways to Get Rid of Heartburn WITHOUT Using Antacids
Struggling with acidity and heartburn issues? These tips will help.
What is a Normal Heartbeat, and and Why Does it Change?
What is a normal heartbeat? And do we get the same speed over all our life time? This video is about to give you those answers, and more...
Restorative Yoga to Relieve Sciatica You Can Do Lying Down
This yoga practice is safe for those suffering from sciatica and was compiled specifically to help relieve the pain associated with it
10 Recipes for Health Boosting, Natural Smoothies
Learn easy recipes for super-healthy smoothies you can whip out in no time.
Owning a Cat Can Do Wonders For Your Health!
Pet ownership, especially cat ownership, can improve the quality of a person's life. Here are 10 health benefits of owning a cat.
3 One Minute Tricks to Fix Your Nightmare Back Pains
Do you have back pain as a result of prolonged sitting? Here are 3 easy techniques you can try anywhere.
How Much Fruit is TOO Much for Your Health?
Fruits are healthy, but is there a thing as eating too much of them? Watch out for these signs.
The "Longevity Vitamin": Where Can You Get Some?
Watch the video to understand all about Ergothioneine, and why it's referred to as the "longevity vitamin".
This Doctor Tried the Keto Diet and This is What He Thinks
Curious to try the KETO Diet? Listen to what a doctor has to say first.
Here’s Why You Should NEVER Snooze the Morning Alarm
A surprising reason why you feel groggy every morning lies in your habit of snoozing the alarm button. To learn why, watch this short video.
9 Effective Ways to Make Your Nausea Go Away
Nausea is that unpleasant feeling of discomfort inside your stomach, oftentimes leading to vomiting. Use one of these natural methods to stop it.
The Secret to Flexible Muscles: How Stretching Works
Discover the actual effects of stretching on your muscles and learn ways to enhance your flexibility.
20+ Surprising Things About Your Skin You Never Knew!
Watch dermatologist Dr. Muneeb Shah answer some important questions about skin and dermatology.
Nothing Helps Your Migraine? Try This Yoga Practice
This easy restorative yoga practice focuses on pranayama breathing and can help reduce the uncomfortable symptoms of headaches and migraines
Breakthrough: Lion's Mane Mushrooms Boost Memory & Nerves!
Researchers have recently uncovered the mushroom's potent compounds, particularly hericene A, that could help nerve cells grow and better interact with each other.
7 Things Stress Does to Everybody, Without Exception
Stress is one of the biggest problems we have to deal with in modern life. Here are 7 recent conclusions about stress you should know about.
In an Emergency, It's Crucial to Know Some CPR...
This guide will take you through the information you need to know to perform CPR. Let's hope you never need to use it.
Constantly Clearing Your Throat? Try These Remedies
Frustrated with constant throat clearing? Try these remedies.
How to Increase the Amount of Oxygen in Your Blood
How can we make sure we're getting enough oxygen in our breathing? This video will make sure you know how.
If You're Not Using Sunscreen, After This Video You Will
This fantastic video shows you how your skin looks in UV light, revealing future sun-damage to it.
Liver Cirrhosis: What You Need to Watch Out for
One major complication that can occur in the liver is cirrhosis, and this comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to deal with it.
Here's What Your BMI Does NOT Mean...
Many people use BMI (Body Mass Index) as a way of working out their level of physical fitness, however the results are typically far from accurate...
This Amazing Nutritional Plan Does Wonders For Your Health
The "daily dozen" nutritional plan was designed for people to follow should they wish to stay in optimal health. Learn more!
9 Common Mistakes We Make When Giving First Aid
The 9 most common errors made when providing first aid for simple medical cases.
What Causes Constipation? Find Out Here...
What's behind constipation? This informative TED-Ed video sheds some light on the matter!
The Truth Behind the Most Popular Types of Diets
There are a lot of popular diets out there. But which one works the best?
Doing This for 5 Minutes Can Lower Your Blood Pressure!
These simple and effective exercises will help lower your blood pressure almost immediately.
Make Your Dry Cough Disappear With These Handy Tips
A dry cough can be incredibly unpleasant and annoying, but you don't have to suffer for days on end until it clears. Here are 5 tips for getting rid of one.
Here's a Quick Guide to Instantly Clearing a Blocked Nose
Got a congested nose? Remember these priceless tricks and thank us later!