Paxlovid is the latest COVID-19 medicine launched recently to decrease the effects of coronavirus. The COVID pill is an oral antiviral tablet used at home to protect high-risk individuals from becoming hospitalized. So, if you even have mild COVID-19 symptoms and are allowed to take the medications, you may do so at home and reduce your chances of being admitted to the hospital. However, COVID patients have queries about the medicine, like "Should I take Paxlovid if my symptoms are mild?" Is it safe or not?
According to WHO reports, patients with mild and severe symptoms of COVID-19 can consume Paxlovid to avoid any risk of hospitalization. They also added the medicine is the most effective medical treatment option for high-risk patients. Continue reading to learn more about the effectiveness of this medicine for mild COVID-19 symptoms and other side effects on your overall health.
Also, Read Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes & COVID-19 - Everything You Need To Know
Can I Take Paxlovid For Mild Covid Symptoms?
Scientists have relentlessly worked on a Paxlovid formula to save people's lives. Many people might get confused about whether they should take this for mild symptoms. It is an effective drug for reducing the number of hospitalizations in the hospital. There is a 5-times less likely chance to be hospitalized when having treatment on Paxlovid, and also 10 times less likely to die from severe conditions. So, even if you have mild symptoms of COVID-19, you can consume the medicine with a doctor's prescription. A prescription from a licensed medical professional is a must to avoid any side effects in the future.
When Do I Need Paxlovid If My Symptoms Are Mild?
People with modest COVID symptoms at a high risk of developing severe disease benefit the most from this medicine. You can start taking it within five days of the onset of COVID-19 symptoms because it prevents the virus from replicating itself. As per research, in approximately 90% of people who were not provided a vaccine, the use of Paxlovid has shown a reduction in the chance of hospitalization and even death.
How Effective Is Paxlovid For Mild Symptoms?
In a study, it has been found that 2246 unvaccinated patients who had mild symptoms showed a low risk of severe disease while on Paxlovid. That means this reduced the chance of being admitted by 8/1000 people. Research published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal depicted non-severe COVID-19 patients who took Paxlovid. There were 46 fewer admissions in the hospital per 1000 patients.
However, in the case of another antiviral drug, Molnupiravir showed only 16 fewer admissions per 1000 patients. Therefore, we can conclude that this medicine illustrated an effective outcome for reducing the effects of mild COVID-19 symptoms. However, researchers are still looking for alternatives or other solutions for children, adolescents, pregnant ladies, and lactating mothers.
Is Paxlovid Safe To Take?
The biggest downside of using this medicine is it interacts with other common drugs. If your doctor advises you to take Paxlovid, consciously inform the professionals about home medicines, including herbs and drugs that you have been taking for a long time in detail. Those medications may include:
Statins
Blood Pressure Medications
Blood Thinners
Mental Health Drugs
Seizure Medications
Migraine Medications
Erectile Dysfunction Medications
There are many side effects of this medicine. You can also read all possible Side Effects of Paxlovid.
Should I Take Paxlovid If My Symptoms Are Improving?
The first thing is if your doctor advises you to go for the Paxlovid treatment, then do a 5-day course or as advised by the doctor. Please do not stop the medication abruptly in between them. If you do, then you have a chance to develop more complications. Always ask your doctor before doing anything on your own. If your symptoms improve, you need to take a full course to recover. If your health is improving and you stop taking the medication, then there is a high chance of developing that particular disease again.
Do I Need To Get Myself Vaccinated If I Have Taken Paxlovid Earlier?
No substitutes can replace COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination is a prevention where you will have a less likely chance of getting an infection. However, sometimes, this is not the first choice to reduce the severe symptoms. That means neither this medicine prevents symptoms nor is the drug of choice for hospitalized patients.
When Should I Stop Taking Paxlovid?
It is recommended for you that you should take the course that the doctor prescribed. Do not fluctuate or change the frequency, dose, and time of the medication. If you do this, you may encounter abnormalities. If your test reports are negative and your doctor says to discontinue the medicine, you can stop taking that medicine. Always go and ask for follow-up. If you find any adverse reaction while taking this medicine, you should stop taking it immediately. Always be careful to take this medication. A person can be sensitive or hypersensitive to some ingredients of this medicine. However, it is a rare condition. So, do not panic.
Can Paxlovid Cause Rebound Effect?
Little research shows Paxlovid can cause rebound effects due to insufficient exposure to drugs. Maybe the requirement of the dose gets undervalued. That's why it can't suppress the symptoms of the disease and then cause the disease again when the course finishes. You do not have to worry as you have to be psychologically strong. Many people notice headaches and panic attacks after taking the medications. The symptoms can return in 2 to 8 days after the competition. One more study published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Preprints showed that 3.53% who took Paxlovid experienced symptoms after completing the 7-day course.
Also Read: Treating COVID-19 at Home: Care Tips for You and Others
Summing Up
Well, using Paxlovid for mild symptoms is helpful as it reduces the severity of illness. No doubt, hospitalization, and medical expenses are a burden on people. Paxlovid is an innovation that decreases huge admissions to hospitals and saves people money. You must know how and when we can become eligible for medicine. Never prescribe any medicine to yourself without any deep knowledge about the particular drug. Therefore, it is mandatory to give an initial assessment brief to avoid any adverse side effects. Always, consult the doctors or physicians before taking any medication to avoid any negative effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
After the rebound effect, can I be contagious again?
It is assumed that the symptoms are contagious no matter how you develop the illness.
Is there any possibility that coronavirus will get resistant to Paxlovid?
It is a hot topic to discuss. However, no evidence depicts resistance to Paxlovid. The virus rapidly mutates and forms a new version, making coronavirus a big deal among researchers.
What are the other options who could not take Paxlovid?
Some antiviral medications are sold on the market, which can ease your symptoms. These are given below: Vaklury Lageviro Bebtelvimab However, they are less convenient to use if compared to Paxlovid.
Should i take paxlovid if my symptoms are improving?
If your COVID-19 symptoms are improving, it's typically not necessary to start Paxlovid, but consult a healthcare professional for individual advice.
Should i take paxlovid for mild covid?
Paxlovid is generally recommended for individuals with mild COVID-19 who are at high risk of disease progression.
Is Paxlovid necessary for mild symptoms?
Paxlovid is FDA-approved for treating the mild symptoms of COVID-19 in people who are in a higher state of getting affected with extremely serious diseases.
Reviewed by