This is welcome news that COVID-19 antiviral pills are now accessible for those at high risk of severe illness. All people with a positive COVID-19 test are not eligible to have these COVID-19 antiviral pills. These COVID-19 antiviral pills could be a game-changer for keeping COVID-19 in check and helping people recover from the early stages of the infection. If you are curious about COVID-19 antiviral pills, this article is for you. This article consists of everything you need to know about these COVID-19 antiviral pills.
How effective are these pills?
According to research, it was concluded that” COVID-19 antiviral pills reduce the risk of hospitalization and death in COVID-19 patients by 30% if the antiviral pills are started within five days of symptom onset. Molnupiravir and Paxlovid antiviral pills are highly recommended to take twice a day for five days.
How do antiviral pills work?
When the coronavirus enters the human body, it takes control of human machinery and makes many copies of itself. These viral copies spread around and out of the body to infect others. So, these antiviral pills inhibit the virus from multiplying by targeting parts of the replication process. During the replication process of the COVID-19 virus, it needs first to make a very long string of proteins which are the building blocks of the virus, to transfer the message of infection. Since proteins are made up of amino acids, these antiviral pills change the order of the amino acids, resulting in defective proteins and a new virus that cannot infect others. In addition, these drugs interface in the next replication step when the virus uses a protease(enzyme) to make the protein strings in exactly the right places to create its building blocks. The antiviral pills block the enzyme, failing more proteins and copies of COVID-19.
Are there any known risks or side effects of antiviral pills?
Yes, it may be harmful to pregnant women because it could interface with fetal development. In addition, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, muscle aches, and bitter taste are reported.
Will antiviral pills be effective against variants, including omicron?
The antiviral pills will likely remain effective against coronavirus variants, including omicron because these pills’ functioning to inhibit the virus’s replication process will be constant.
Who is eligible to receive COVID-19 antiviral pills?
The COVID-19 antiviral pills are not available to everyone though there are standard prescription eligibility criteria. These COVID-19 antiviral pills will be available to people who:
- Have tested positive for COVID-19 and have not yet been admitted to the hospital
- Are at high risk for developing severe COVID-19
- Are 12 years of age or older
- Have no alternative FDA-authorized COVID-19 treatment options accessible to them
How are COVID-19 antiviral pills administered?
COVID-19 antiviral pills are administered for five days orally. People taking Paxlovid will need to take three tablets simultaneously, twice a day. While the people taking Molnupiravir will need to take four capsules twice a day.
Which COVID-19 antiviral pills are recommended?
Many drugs are authorized for emergency use to treat the life-threatening symptoms of COVID-19, including oral pills. The most recommended COVID-19 antiviral pills are:
- Paxlovid
- Molnupiravir
- Sotrovimab
- Bebtelovimab
Conclusion
COVID-19 antiviral pills are now available but are only given with prescriptions. These antiviral pills are highly effective because they reduce the risk of hospitalization by up to 30% by treating the symptoms. These antiviral pills interface in the replication process of COVID-19, resulting in a defective virion that cannot infect others. These antiviral pills are effective for other COVID-19 mutants such as omicron because it inhibits the functioning of the COVID-19 enzyme and produces defective proteins. But, there are specific criteria to purchase these antiviral pills. The most recommended antiviral pills are Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, with an intake duration of 5 days. There are several benefits of these COVID-19 antiviral pills. These pills cause side effects such as diarrhea, muscle aches, vomiting, and nausea. So, before starting these pills, you should consult your doctor.
