On December 22, 2021, US health regulators authorized the first pill (a drug by Pfizer) against Covid-19.

Key Points

• People will be able to take Pfizer drug at home, in a bid to head off the worst effects of covid-19.
• Pfizer drug was approved amid the rising new infections due to Omicron variant, rising hospitalization and deaths in United States.

About Pfizer drug: Paxlovid

The drug called Paxlovid is a fast and cheap way to treat early Covid-19 infections. Nirmatrelvir drug is sold under the brand name Paxlovid. This antiviral medication has been developed by Pfizer. It acts as an orally active 3CL protease inhibitor. The drug was granted emergency use authorization by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat COVID-19 disease recently. It is not authorized for pre-exposure or post-exposure prevention of COVID-19. It can also be used for initiation of treatment in people who require hospitalization due to critical COVID-19.

Who can use this drug?

The FDA has authorized Pfizer’s drug for adults and children aged 12 and more, who have been tested positive with Covid-19. People with early symptoms and highest risks of hospitalization can use this drug. Children eligible for medication must weigh at least 40 kilograms. Patients will require a positive Covid-19 test to get a prescription.

Efficacy of Paxlovid

Paxlovid has proven effective, when provided within five days of symptoms appearing.