While the US government is purchasing more Paxlovid, patients, scientists and even federal agencies are uncertain about its effectiveness as in several cases people have complained of experiencing a second round of symptoms in what is being called as “rebound illness” or ‘Paxlovid rebound’
Representational image. PTI
While the White House announced plans to make the antiviral medicine Paxlovid more accessible across the US, scientists and federal agencies said they are investigating reports of Americans who say they experienced a rebound of COVID-19 soon after finishing the course.
The nation’s first federally backed test-to-treat site opened Thursday in Rhode Island, providing patients with immediate access to the Pfizer drug once they test positive.
The US has ordered 20 million courses of Paxlovid from the drugmaker Pfizer, and the country risks running out this winter if the drug continues to be used widely.
The White House has been pressing Congress for additional funds for months to support purchasing more Paxlovid and other treatments, as well as additional boosters.
While the US government is purchasing more Paxlovid, patients, scientists and even federal agencies are uncertain about its effectiveness as in several cases people have complained of experiencing a second round of symptoms in what is being called as “rebound illness” or “Paxlovid rebound”.
What is Paxlovid?
An oral antiviral, developed by Pfizer, Paxlovid has proved to cut the risk of hospitalisation and death by 89 per cent, according to The Atlantic. It was termed “a real game changer” by US President Joe Biden in January this year.
As per Patrick Jackson, assistant professor of Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia, Paxlovid is made up of two protease inhibitors, including one used in treating HIV as a booster medicine.
Protease inhibitors are synthetic drugs that block enzymes that viruses need to replicate. The combination in Paxlovid basically prevents the coronavirus from completing its life cycle, he said in a report for The Conversation.
What is the problem with Paxlovid?
Over the last few months,the US government has urged medical practitoners to prescribe the Pfizer drug. However, patients in increasing numbers complained of a bitter, metallic taste, or one like grapefruit juice mixed with soap, as reported by The Atlantic.
Some had more serious side-effects as they reported experiencing a second round of symptoms. And when the pills were over they went back to testing positive, a phenomenon that’s become known as “Paxlovid rebound”.
Some vaccine scientists too complained of the alleged Paxlovid rebound.