Headline Roundup • December 27th, 2021
Paxlovid, Pfizer's COVID-19 Pill, May Mix Poorly With Other Common Medications
Summary from the AllSides News Team
According to a report from NBC News, experts are warning that new antiviral pills to treat COVID-19 may not be safe for everyone.
Pfizer's Paxlovid pills were authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week for high-risk individuals, but there are concerns about how the medication will mix with treatments for other ailments. A pharmaceutical scientist told NBC News that the pills should be monitored carefully by doctors and pharmacists for serious interactions with statins, blood thinners and antidepressants. The FDA also restricted the use of another antiviral pill, molnupiravir from Merck, to certain high-risk adults amid concerns about side effects for pregnant women and others.
NBC's report was covered across the spectrum, but not featured prominently by sources on the left or the right. Reports on all sides also tended to highlight how many experts still see Paxlovid and other COVID-19 antiviral pills as breakthrough treatments in spite of concerns.
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Experts warn that despite the first antiviral pills for COVID-19 promising protection for those at risk of severe disease, Pfizer's or Merck's new medications may not be safe for everyone, NBC News reported over the weekend.
One of the two drugs in Pfizer's Paxlovid antiviral cocktail could cause severe or life-threatening interactions with commonly used medications, including statins, blood thinners and some antidepressants, and the FDA does not recommend Paxlovid for those with severe kidney or liver disease.
In addition, due to concerns about the potential side effects of Merck's molnupiravir, the FDA has...
Pfizer via Reuters
As the omicron surge pummels a pandemic-weary nation, the first antiviral pills for Covid-19 promise desperately needed protection for people at risk of severe disease. However, many people prescribed Pfizer’s or Merck’s new medications will require careful monitoring by doctors and pharmacists, and the antivirals may not be safe for everyone, experts caution.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer’s Paxlovid for mild to moderate Covid in people as young as 12 who have underlying conditions that raise the risk of hospitalization and death from the coronavirus, such as heart disease or diabetes. However, one...
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized two antiviral pills, one from Pfizer and one from Merck, making them the first at-home treatment for COVID-19 that has been touted as a game changer in the fight against the pandemic.
However, experts told NBC News that the pills will require careful monitoring by doctors and pharmacists.
While Pfizer's Paxlovid has been authorized for use in children 12 and over with underlying health conditions including heart disease or diabetes, a component of the antiviral cocktail could have serious and life- threatening interactions with drugs including blood thinners, statins...
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