A recent case series study suggests that extended courses of Paxlovid may alleviate symptoms in some patients with long Covid, but the effectiveness varies widely among individuals. The study, conducted by researchers at UC San Francisco, found that five out of 13 patients experienced sustained improvements in their symptoms after taking Paxlovid for 15 days or more.
Long Covid, a condition characterized by over 200 symptoms ranging from brain fog to respiratory issues, has proven challenging to treat. Researchers emphasize the need for more targeted studies to determine which patients might benefit most from antiviral therapies like Paxlovid.
The study’s findings are in line with recent research that has shown mixed results for Paxlovid’s effectiveness in alleviating persistent symptoms of long Covid. However, the authors argue that a longer treatment duration may be beneficial for some patients.
According to the CDC, 17.6 million Americans, or about 1 in 13 adults, have long Covid. These individuals often experience debilitating symptoms that persist for months or even years after their initial infection. Researchers are still trying to understand the biological mechanisms underlying the disorder and are working to develop effective treatments.
The study’s lead author, Alison Cohen, notes that Paxlovid is not a silver bullet but may help a significant number of people with long Covid in a meaningful way. The researchers emphasize the need for further research to identify patient-specific responses to treatment and determine the most effective course length.
While the study’s findings are promising, they also underscore the complexity of treating long Covid. Researchers must continue to explore different treatment options and understand how individual patients respond to antiviral therapies.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/paxlovid-long-covid-28314