Paxlovid is an antiviral medication used to treat COVID-19 in high-risk adults and children, comprising two drugs, nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, which inhibit viral replication. An extensive study by Kaiser Permanente, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, demonstrates that timely administration of Paxlovid significantly lowers the risk of hospitalization and death for patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, regardless of age or prior immunity. The study analyzed data from 133,426 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 between April and October 2022, during the prevalence of the omicron subvariants BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5. The findings revealed an 80% effectiveness in preventing hospitalization or death when Paxlovid was taken within five days of symptom onset, rising to 90% when taken on the same day as the positive test. Effectiveness decreased to 44% if treatment commenced six or more days post-symptom onset. Furthermore, the medication was 89% effective in preventing severe outcomes when administered promptly. Overall, these results underscore the importance of early intervention and suggest that doctors should assess individual treatment plans based on symptom onset timing. Paxlovid is manufactured by Pfizer Inc. and holds emergency use authorization from the FDA.
