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Pfizer's COVID-19 Pills Paxlovid Gets Nod From FDA: Possible Side Effects And Other Details of This Oral Antiviral Drug

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency authorisation to Pfizer's COVID-19 Pills. Here are the side effects and other details of these oral COVID pills that you should know.

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Written By: Satata Karmakar | Published : December 23, 2021, 12:33 PM

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FDA Authorises Pfizer's COVID Treatment Pills

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted an emergency use authorisation (EUA) for Pfizer's Antiviral pill to treat the deadly Covid-19 causing SARS-CoV2 virus along with caution for people with certain pre-existing medical conditions. This comes at a time when the world is back to fighting the highly virulent strain of coronavirus - Omicron. This new variant of COVID-19 is so far the most mutated version of the virus.

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Major Step Against COVID Global Pandemic

The FDA's approval for the emergency use of Pfizer's Paxlovid COVID-19 pills is a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic. In 2019, COVID-19 was first detected in China's Wuhan, since then the virus has led to the deaths of millions globally. These COVID-19 pills are available by prescription only and should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of Covid-19 and within five days of symptom onset. The authorisation introduces the first treatment for Covid-19 that is in the form of a pill that is taken orally. Also Read - Doctor explains why food poisoning cases rise during summer and monsoon, shares essential safety guidelines

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What Is A COVID-19 Pill?

To date, only vaccines in the form of injections were being administered around the world to fight the deadly COVID-19 infection. A pill is a tablet that one can take orally and that doesn't require any kind of syringes. The drug, Paxlovid, is a faster, cheaper way to treat early COVID-19 infections, though initial supplies will be extremely limited. All of the previously authorized drugs against the disease require an IV or an injection, this one is a new type of vaccine against the deadly virus.

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Who All Can Take These Pills?

Pfizer's Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) has been approved for the treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in adults and paediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 testing. The pill has also been approved for those at high risk for progression to severe Covid-19, including hospitalisation or death. Also Read - Walking and light home exercise during chemotherapy may reduce fatigue and improve quality of life, study reveals

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Who All Should Not Take Pfizer's COVID Pills?

Paxlovid is not authorised for the pre-exposure or post-exposure prevention of Covid or for initiation of treatment in those requiring hospitalisation due to severe or critical Covid-19. These pills are also not a substitute for vaccination in individuals for whom Covid-19 vaccination and a booster dose are recommended. The COVID pills are not authorised for use for longer than five consecutive days.

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How Does Paxlovid Work?

Paxlovid is a combination of Pfizer’s investigational antiviral PF-07321332 and a low dose of ritonavir, an antiretroviral medication traditionally used to treat HIV. The treatment disrupts the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in the body by binding to the 3CL-like protease, an enzyme crucial to the virus’ function and reproduction. Also Read - World Blood Donor Day 2026: What happens to your body after donating blood? Expert explains

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Who Will Have Access To Paxlovid?

The UK and USA both have purchased these pills to fight the deadly COVID-19 which has come back with another highly mutated version - Omicron. According to the sources, Pfizer antiviral pill will be used to treat Covid-19 along with caution for people with certain pre-existing medical conditions. These will be listed out soon.

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What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Pfizer's COVID Pills?

Possible side-effects of Paxlovid include impaired sense of taste, diarrhoea, high blood pressure, and muscle aches. Using Paxlovid at the same time as certain other drugs may result in potentially significant drug interactions.  Using Paxlovid in people with uncontrolled or undiagnosed HIV-1 infection may lead to HIV-1 drug resistance. Ritonavir may cause liver damage, so caution should be exercised when giving Paxlovid to patients with pre-existing liver diseases, liver enzyme abnormalities, or liver inflammation. Also Read - Can blood donation lower cholesterol? Cardiologist explains the link between blood donation and heart health

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Anti-Viral Pills From Merck Is Expected To Enter The Market Soon

An antiviral pill from Merck also is expected to soon win authorisation. According to the reports, the pills from both Pfizer and Merck are expected to be effective against omicron because they don't target the spike protein where most of the variant's worrisome mutations reside. "The efficacy is high, the side effects are low and it's oral. It checks all the boxes," experts quoted as saying.

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Satata Karmakar

Satata Karmakar is a health journalist and Assistant News Editor at TheHealthSite.com with over a decade of experience in digital and print media. A postgraduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, she has previously worked with leading media organisations including ... Read More