To take or not to take the anti-COVID-19 pill?
The emergency approval of both the Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck ‘s Molnupiravir by the US Food & Drug Authority in the third week of December came as the best gift for people in the United States just before the holidays – one that many had eagerly waited for a very long time.
With these two-treatment options now possible to take at home, many wonder how to have access to them.
President Joe Biden has already announced that his administration has already purchased the pills from both Pfizer and Merck and will send them over to various states as needed.
Both the anti-Covid-19 pills shall be available at most of the major pharmacies, community health centers and health clinics across the country, free of cost – but will need a doctor’s prescription and have to be called in, once symptoms appear.
Regarding the pills’ use, the main challenge is doing it efficiently within a short time frame. As soon as someone feels the symptoms or comes in contact with a positive case, they must get tested immediately and if positive, get a prescription and take the pill for a total of five days. Now comes the question – ‘Should everyone testing positive start the recommended pill?’ The answer is: – No. Only people with mild to moderate symptoms may start the pill, especially those with underlying chronic medical conditions like diabetes, cardiac diseases, cancer, etc., or a weak immune system, as seen in the elderly.
Worth noting is that the only antiviral pill authorized for use in the hospital for COVID-19 patients is Remdesivir.
Pfizer’s Paxlovid may be used at home for children 12 years and older whereas Merck’s Molnupiravir cannot be used for children as it can interfere with bone growth. In addition, Molnupiravir is not recommended for pregnant women as it may cause birth defects. Pfizer’s Paxlovid is not recommended in patients with chronic hepatic or renal conditions and must be closely monitored in people already taking other medications, as it can develop serious cross reactions with other drugs.
Get started on the anti-COVID-19 pill as soon as possible after the first appearance of symptoms, like fever, cough, generalized body aches, headache, joint pains, fatigue, or exhaustion. A full course covers a treatment of five days.
The key factor to staying protected from the various strains of the Coronavirus, including the Omicron variant is to get vaccinated.