Monoclonal and antiviral antibodies, medicines for treating and preventing COVID-19 often benefit from a rapid availability. But this therapeutic arsenal must quickly fit the appearance of new variants.
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Evusheld, Xevudy and now Paxlovid, a pill accessible in pharmacy … The announcements of the arrival of new drugs against Cvid-19 follows one another in recent weeks, while others previously used are gradually abandoned, because become ineffective On the Omicron Variant, now largely majority in France. Indicated to deal with proven infections, or in a preventive framework for the most fragile populations, these molecules have so far been mainly administered to the hospital. But the situation could well change with the evolution of the profile of the epidemic, and the provision of early treatments and orally like Paxlovid.
Despite the good protection conferred by the vaccines, have a range of anti-Covid-19 drugs and continue to look for new restsable to treat or even prevent, infection depending on the context. These treatments are mainly in two categories: monoclonal antibodies and direct action antivirals.
“The monoclonal antibodies are targeting the SPIKE protein [the input key of the SARS-COV-2 in the cells], hang on and prevent the virus from entering the cell and infect, while An antiviral enters the infected cell and locks the multiplication of the virus in the cell “, summarizes Alban Dhanani, Deputy Director of the Medical Management of the National Safety Agency of the Medicine and Health Products (ANSM), Drug Manager anti-infectious and vaccines. Consequence, “monoclonal antibodies have the advantage of being very powerful but the disadvantage of being sensitive to the mutations of the spike protein and to lose their effectiveness. Conversely, antivirals like Paxlovid remain active against the Variants, he continues. In addition, they administer orally, allowing them to deploy them in town, with a deliverance by pharmacists of pharmacists “.
- paxlovid: the First Antiviral Oral in France
It is to this family of antivirals owned by the highly anticipated Paxlovid (Pfizer), authorized on 21 January by the High Authority of Health (HAS), the first anti-Covid-19 treatment to be taken by way oral off hospital. Association of two antivirals, it is intended for people infected at high risk of severe disease of the disease. The treatment, or six daily tablets in two jacks, must be administered for five days, within five days of the first symptoms. This early administration reduces the risk of hospitalization and death by 89%, according to Pfizer’s clinical trials. Health authorities and doctors, however, emphasize interactions with many other drugs, which will require special monitoring.
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