A recent study has indicated that administering the COVID-19 drug Paxlovid to patients three to five days after symptoms develop could be beneficial in reducing the severity and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Researchers have detailed the most effective timing for patients to take Paxlovid for maximum benefit in a study published in eLife on April 16. These findings emphasize the importance of expanding global access to the antiviral drug.The goal of using Paxlovid is to lower viral levels, lessen the spread of the virus, and reduce the resurgence of the virus. Using Paxlovid more widely during this time period could be an effective way to control the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus without the need for widespread restrictions in the future, but further research is necessary to confirm this. Paxlovid is currently used in certain regions to protect individuals at high risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. However, its adoption has been slow and some patients have experienced a rebound in viral growth after discontinuing the medication. As a result, there is a need for additional studies in this area.xlovid can slow down the replication of viruses in patients, which can lead to better outcomes for the patients and reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others. According to Zhanwei Du, Assistant Professor (Research) at the WHO Collaborating Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, and lead author on the study, these drugs may have the potential to help control pandemic outbreaks if they are more widely used. However, in order to maximize the benefits of these drugs, it is important to understand the best time to administer them and to encourage their widespread distribution and use.The study by Du and his team involved reviewing the health records of 208 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Hong Kong with mild to moderate symptoms between January 6 and May 1, 2022. Half of the patients (104) were treated with Paxlovid, while the other half did not receive antiviral treatment.
By analyzing the patients’ viral loads, the researchers were able to create mathematical models to understand the virus’ behavior with and without Paxlovid treatment. Their findings indicated that the drug reduced viral replication by 90% overall, but its effectiveness varied based on the timing of administration.
Patients who were given PaxlovidPaxlovid treatment when initiated within three days of symptoms showing, had a 17% chance of rebounding viral growth after stopping the drug. Treatment within this timeframe also decreased the ability to infect others by 12%. However, treatment after five days of symptoms emerging had a less positive effect on reducing infectivity. Patients treated in less than three days after symptoms began were more likely to experience rebounding viral growth after stopping treatment, and the treatment did not decrease their ability to infect others. Our analysis indicates that the best treatment window to maximize Paxlovid’s effectiveness is within the first three days of symptom onset.”The optimal time to reduce infectiousness and minimize rebound viral growth is between three and five days after symptoms begin,” explained co-senior author Lauren Ancel Meyers, the Cooley Centennial Professor at the Departments of Integrative Biology, and Statistics and Data Science, at the University of Texas at Austin, US. “The data also indicates that prompt use of Paxlovid could potentially reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to others.”
However, the authors caution that the data does not currently take into account the potential development of resistance to Paxlovid, which would need to be further evaluated before the drug can be used more widely.
“FaAccording to Benjamin Cowling, a professor at the University of Hong Kong, fast-acting antiviral medications like Paxlovid have the potential to decrease the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and improve patient outcomes. He also suggests that global distribution programs for these antivirals could help in fighting COVID-19 as the virus and immunity continue to change.
