Headline RoundupDecember 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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