The drug Paxlovid is still effective in treating COVID-19
December 13, 2023
Muhammad Radzi said the antiviral treatment can reduce the symptoms of COVID-19 and prevent the disease from getting worse. - Image file
Muhammad Radzi said the antiviral treatment can reduce the symptoms of COVID-19 and prevent the disease from getting worse.
KUALA LUMPUR: The use of the antiviral drug Paxlovid is still effective despite the emergence of a new variant of COVID-19, said Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan.
He said the antiviral treatment can reduce the symptoms of COVID-19 and prevent the disease from getting worse.
According to him, high-risk COVID-19 patients, i.e. individuals aged 60 years and above, have low immunity, have any comorbidities or are obese are advised to get Paxlovid treatment.
"Paxlovid is effective when taken within five days of the day symptoms start. Therefore, high-risk patients are advised to undergo testing as soon as they have symptoms.
"If the COVID-19 test is positive, please get an initial medical assessment at the nearest health facility to determine your eligibility to take Paxlovid," he said in a statement today.
However, he said there are some perceptions that the drug is not effective in treating COVID-19 patients and it is due to several possibilities, among which the drug is used by non-risk groups.
Dr Muhammad Radzi said it may also be due to patients seeking treatment late in addition to interactions with other drugs, especially patients who take drugs for chronic diseases.
