Nirmatrelvir & Ritonavir – Americans and people around the world have been waiting for the right treatment options for the infection of covid 19. You might not be surprised to know that in the last three years, healthcare experts have not seen much success in the same.
Even the effectiveness of the covid vaccine is under question when it comes to infection from different variants. Each time we record a new variant of the virus, the effectiveness of covid vaccine comes under the radar.
The Food and Drug Administration of the United States has to prove the use of several medicines and injections as a treatment for COVID-19. Nirmatrelvir & Ritonavir is the most prominent and popular treatment option available in the world.
If you are also wondering about all the treatment options available for the infection, Then you are at the right place, as we are going to talk about one of the most important treatment options.
All About Nirmatrelvir & Ritonavir
Nirmatrelvir & Ritonavir are antiviral drugs also named Paxlovid. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest this overall medicine for every infected patient above the age of 12.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States also suggest everyone start the treatment as early as possible. Regardless of the immunity status, everyone should consult about all the treatment options for the Infection with their healthcare provider.
The CDC suggests everyone start the treatment within five days of the start of the symptoms. That is why people who are declared as immune compromised or already struggling with any chronic condition should consult about the use of Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir as early as possible.
Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir is available on a prescription from your doctor. You cannot buy over-the-counter medicine as it is known to cause a huge number of side effects.
Important Warnings of Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir
As you might already be aware, healthcare experts around the world are yet to find effective treatment options for the infection of COVID-19.
Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir might be available as a treatment option, but it is still under clinical trials, and you will not be able to buy it without a medical prescription or recommendation from your healthcare provider.
Another important thing about the medicine is that it is not underground and is a standard review similar to the approval of any Food and Drug administration drug.
There is a specific eligibility criterion to be part of the trials and receive the medicine. People who do not fall in the eligibility criteria won’t be eligible to receive the medicine, and you should consult everything about the medicine with your healthcare provider.
There is also a probability of allergic reactions and other severe side effects from the medicine. Kindly consume Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir under the strict observation of your healthcare provider or another medical professional.
Eligibility to Receive Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir
Similar to every other medicine and treatment option, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States has preset eligibility criteria to receive Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir in the United States.
As per the current CDC regulations, everyone above the age of 12 with a weight of at least 40 kg is eligible to receive Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir. At the same time, healthcare experts in the country are also directed to suggest the use of medicine in people who have mild to moderate symptoms of the virus and are at risk of developing severe disease.
It Is not a one-time use medicine as the patient will have to consume the combination of medicine at least two times a day for five days a course. Patients should follow all the directions carefully on the prescription label.
Lastly, the caretaker and patient must make sure they are not taking an overdose, as it is known to cause several severe side effects.
Side Effects of Nirmatrelvir & Ritonavir
Similar to any other medicine in the world, Nirmatrelvir & Ritonavir is also known to have some side effects, and all of these side effects have been acknowledged by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States.
The probability of side effects depends on the previous medical history and immunity of the Patient. For example, people who are already struggling with any chronic condition, including kidney diseases, might experience some side effects associated with kidney diseases.
- High blood pressure
- Muscle pain
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- A general feeling of unwell
- Loss of appetite
These are among the most common side effects of the medicine. The Food and Drug Administration believes there could be hundreds of different common side effects of the medicine, and it is not a complete list.
As you might already be aware, the drug is still under trial, and healthcare experts are yet to collect complete and accurate data on all the side effects. We highly recommend you take medicine under the strict observation of your healthcare provider.
Apart from that, if you are struggling with any other medical condition, let your healthcare provider know about it before consuming the medicine.
Severe Side Effects
Along with the probability of common side effects, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States has also acknowledged the probability of allergic reactions and other severe side effects.
People who are allergic to any ingredients used in the drug should not consume it under any circumstances. Yes, Nirmatrelvir & Ritonavir is known to provide immunity and the ability to fight the virus, but they should not come under life-threatening conditions.
Let your healthcare expert know about your allergies. If you start experiencing any symptoms associated with the allergic reaction, including hives, sore throat, Hoarseness, skin rash, trouble breathing, trouble while swallowing, and swelling on the face, you should let your health care expert know about it.
Apart from that, people who are already struggling with liver conditions should not consume the medicine and let their healthcare experts know about it.
Nirmatrelvir & Ritonavir is known to affect the liver, and you should be very careful while consuming the medicine. If you are experiencing any symptoms associated with the liver condition, including loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin, dark-colored urine, and abdominal pain, then you should call your healthcare expert right away.
Side Effects on Women
The food and administration do not suggest any pregnant or breastfeeding women consume the medicine. Nirmatrelvir & Ritonavir Is still under trial, and we do not have enough data when it comes to pregnant women or breastfeeding women with the medicine.
Better safe than sorry. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States does not recommend any woman conceive a child while taking Nirmatrelvir & Ritonavir.
You must maintain an adequate gap between your pregnancy and treatment to prevent any severe complications with your pregnancy and the health of the unborn baby.
Your healthcare provider might also suggest not consuming the medicine if you are breastfeeding a newborn. Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir Is not recommended for anyone below the age of 12 and weight of 40kgs.
Healthcare experts are yet to figure out whether the medicine travels through breast milk or not. Till then, you should consult the probability with your healthcare provider.
Who should not take Nirmatrelvir & Ritonavir?
Before we completely wrap our session up, let’s take a quick look at all the people who should not consume Nirmatrelvir & Ritonavir.
There are some conditions in which people should not consume the medicine as it can cause severe side effects. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States does not recommend the use of medicine in people who already have below-given conditions.
- People with allergic reactions are not suggested to consume the medicine without consulting with their healthcare provider.
- At the same time, people who have chronic conditions, including liver and kidney diseases, are also suggested not to consume them.
- Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir Is also not available for women who are pregnant or Women who are planning to become pregnant.
- Those who are already struggling with severe medical conditions are also suggested not to consume it.
- Everyone who does not fall in the preset eligibility criteria is also most justice consuming the medicine.
Lastly, you should be very careful if you are already consuming any over-the-counter medicine, including herbal supplements and vitamins. Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir is known to cause interaction with these medicines and create several side effects.
Can Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir interact with other medicines?
Yes, Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir is also known to interact with other medicines. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States has already advised everyone to consult the probability of mixing every medicine you are currently taking along with Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir. At the same time, Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir may also interact with HIV medicine, and those medicines might not work.