In the commercial, the phrase “Paxrobid for coronavirus” sounds very simple.
But while catchy, the slogan belies a harsh reality that some public health officials and elected officials have long acknowledged and worked to correct. This means that for many people, access to treatments should be much easier than before.
Antiviral drugs are widely available and abundant, so this problem is not one of scarcity. Pricing is also not a big barrier, as Paxlovid is cheap or free for many people. And it's not even a question of how well it works, because studies have shown it to be highly effective.
The drug's biggest obstacle is still the simple fact that many doctors refuse to prescribe it.
Some health care providers have balked at outdated arguments, such as the idea of ”pax-throbid rebound,” in which people who take the drug can experience symptoms such as: New coronavirus symptoms occur againit usually takes about 2-8 days to recover.
As it turns out, people who have been infected with COVID-19 have a similarly rare chance of rebounding.
A “rebound” of the new coronavirus could occur with or without [Paxlovid] treatment,” Food and Drug Administration scientists said. I have written In a study published in December. “Viral RNA rebound was not limited to:” [Paxlovid] Takers and rebound rates were generally similar to those taking placebo. ”
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco, groaned when he heard about a patient who was refused a prescription for paxlobid because of concerns about “paxlobid rebound.”
“Oh my god, that's so bogus,” Chin-Hong said. “Clinicians have this weird idea about rebound, which is just stupid.”
Data shows that most people do not suffer from a rebound of the coronavirus, Chin-Hong said. And while rebound is possible, the possibility should not deter those who really need it from taking antiviral drugs.
According to the California Department of Public Health, even if a person develops symptoms due to a rebound of the coronavirus, “symptoms tend to be mild and repeat treatment is not necessary.”
Officials at the federal and state levels are urging health care providers to appropriately prescribe paxlobid and other antiviral drugs when needed.
'Antiviral drugs are underutilized' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Said in a statement Thursday. “Don't wait for your symptoms to get worse.”
by itself recommendationthe California Department of Public Health says, “Most adults and some children with COVID-19 who have symptoms are eligible for treatment…because health care providers prescribe medications to treat COVID-19. “The standards should be set low.”
Besides paxlobid, one alternative oral antiviral treatment is known as molnupiravir. Remdesivir is also given intravenously.
of CDC Paxlobid and remdesivir are the preferred treatments for eligible COVID-19 patients, it said.
“Paxlobid treatment should be started as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19, even if symptoms are mild, and within 5 days of the onset of symptoms.” F.D.A. Say.
References to Paxrobid and other antiviral drugs are also made in the musical. radio advertising A message from California health officials was broadcast across the state. “Get tested. Treat. You can beat it,” it says, followed by the quip, “Medicine is the key/Slowing down the virus in your body is the key.”
However, the infrequent prescribing of paxlobid and other antiviral drugs is widely documented, which could have significant implications for high-risk COVID-19 patients.a report A report released Thursday by the CDC examined 110 patients with COVID-19 who were considered high-risk and found that 80% were not receiving antiviral treatment.
The main reason cited by the patient's health care providers, all of whom were under the jurisdiction of the Veterans Health Administration, was that the patient's coronavirus symptoms were mild.
But as officials have pointed out, that's exactly what antivirals are for.
“There is strong scientific evidence that antiviral treatment for people with mild to moderate illness who are at risk for severe COVID-19 reduces the risk of hospitalization and death.” Ta. CDC says.
Risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection include being age 50 or older. Not up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations.and wide range of medical conditions, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease, heart disease, anxiety and depression, overweight and more. Other factors that affect health can also increase someone's risk, such as limited access to health care or low income.
Another reason health care providers don't prescribe coronavirus antiviral drugs is the potential for serious side effects, California officials said. But that concern is largely misplaced, as the California Department of Public Health says “most people have very few side effects.” To tell. More common side effects after taking Paxrobid include a temporary metallic taste in the mouth (occurs in about 6% of people taking it) and diarrhea (3%).
However, some people taking paxlobid may need adjustments to other medications, the agency said.
Molnupiravir, another antiviral option, “has few side effects, but cannot be taken if you are pregnant,” state officials said.
Clinicians may also be reluctant to prescribe paxlobid to young adults, Chin-Hong says, “not because it's harmful, but because some studies show it's not very beneficial.” . In general, young, healthy people are less likely to die from coronavirus or become sick enough to require hospitalization, even without antiviral treatment.
However, some data suggest that patients taking paxlobid Eliminate coronavirus from the body faster.
“What we found is that people quickly became negative about Paxlobid,” Chin-Hong said.
and one reportA paper published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases suggests that widespread use of paxlobid “will not only improve outcomes for treated patients, but also… reduce the risk of future infections.” are doing.
So, if your initial clinician refuses to prescribe you Paxlovid, but you think you're eligible, what other options do you have?
One possibility is to contact another health care provider who may be familiar with any of the following: paxrovid and other antiviral drugs, or are more aggressive in prescribing them.
los angeles county residents You can discuss free treatment options with a health care provider by calling the county's Public Health Information Line at (833) 540-0473, 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Callers can speak with a nurse for an initial assessment and receive assistance applying for financial assistance programs if needed. Doctors and nurses can also assess patients over the phone to see if they should prescribe COVID-19 medication. Counties may also be able to mail drugs to residents for free.
Californians who are uninsured or have difficulty obtaining anti-COVID-19 medications. schedule Call (833) 686-5051 or visit us to schedule a free telehealth appointment. sesamecare.com/covidca. Depending on your insurance, you may have to pay for the medication yourself.
A program funded by the National Institutes of Health. test2treat.orgis offering free access to telehealth care and treatment to adults who test positive for COVID-19 or influenza.
