Pfizer's Paxlovid ineffective as 15-day long COVID treatment, study reveals

Stanford Study Reveals Pfizer's Paxlovid Ineffective for Long COVID Symptoms

A recent study conducted by Stanford University researchers has shown that a 15-day course of Pfizer's COVID-19 antiviral treatment, Paxlovid, does not alleviate symptoms associated with long COVID. Despite hopes from both scientists and patients based on anecdotal evidence, the study found no significant difference between Paxlovid and a placebo in reducing long COVID symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, body aches, gastrointestinal, or cardiovascular issues.

The trial involved 155 participants who, on average, had been experiencing long COVID symptoms for over 16 months prior to enrolling in the study. According to Dr. Upinder Singh, a Stanford Medicine Professor, patient-reported outcomes did not indicate a measurable improvement in the six composite symptoms studied. Furthermore, there was no observed benefit in individual symptoms either.

Despite the study's findings, Dr. Singh suggests that further research into the treatment of long COVID with Paxlovid may still be valuable, particularly if longer courses of treatment are considered or if the treatment is given to patients who have not been sick for as long. An important takeaway from the study is that a 15-day course of Paxlovid is safe, even though it is currently prescribed as a 5-day course to treat COVID-19 early during infection or symptom onset.

Paxlovid's Role in COVID-19 Treatment

Paxlovid is the most commonly prescribed at-home treatment for COVID-19 in the United States. It is approved for use in adults who are at risk of severe complications from COVID-19. In its initial clinical trials, Paxlovid demonstrated a 90% reduction in hospitalizations and fatalities for unvaccinated individuals at high risk for serious illness. However, Pfizer was not able to show the same benefit for those categorized as having standard risk, including those who were vaccinated.

Even though the Stanford study's results on long COVID resulted in disappointment, Pfizer has stated that these findings will not affect other planned studies of Paxlovid as a potential treatment for long COVID. Researchers from Kaiser Permanente North California and Pfizer itself also contributed to the trial, in collaboration with Stanford scientists.

Continuing the Search for Long COVID Treatments

As of now, there remain no proven treatments specifically targeting long COVID, a debilitating condition where symptoms can persist for many months after the initial infection. This trial underscores the urgency for continued research to find effective therapies for the long-haul symptoms experienced by many COVID-19 survivors.