Over the past two years, COVID-19 has caused an array of disruptions to millions of people’s lives across America. Yet amidst these trying times, medical professionals and researchers have made numerous groundbreaking discoveries to mitigate illnesses linked to this virus.
As 2021 ended, the FDA presented us with two revolutionary oral COVID-19 treatments: Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) and molnupiravir (Lagevrio). These pills are the first of their kind to help prevent mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 from deteriorating. Although these medications have become extremely popular recently, understanding them can be more complicated.
While two antiviral drugs have displayed the potential to relieve symptoms of COVID-19, much confusion remains amongst the public as to whether these medicines are identical or distinct.
This blog post will explore the similarities and differences between Molnupiravir and Paxlovid.
What is Molnupiravir?
Molcovir 200 Mg (Molnupiravir) is an antiviral drug that can be used orally and was created by Merck & Company, Inc. It is intended to treat COVID-19 cases that are mild to moderate in severity. It is beneficial in reducing the severity of patients’ symptoms and accelerating their recovery time. Molnupiravir is effective because it stops the reproduction process that normally takes place inside infected cells. This phenomenon is referred to as the “cytopathic effect” of the virus, and it prevents the virus from spreading to other healthy cells.
What is Paxlovid?
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) is a groundbreaking antiviral medication co-developed by Gilead Sciences and ViiV Healthcare, designed to treat moderate COVID-19 cases. In contrast to Molnupiravir, this oral treatment takes advantage of its “protease inhibitor” capability to diminish the production of the virus within infected cells preventing further spread throughout healthy tissue. The innovative mechanism helps decrease symptom intensity and shorten recovery time for patients significantly.
How well do Paxlovid and molnupiravir work for COVID-19 treatment?
The initial clinical trials of Paxlovid displayed an incredible 90% success rate in protecting those at high risk from hospitalization or death caused by COVID-19. Further research indicates that the elderly may be especially reaping the benefits of this revolutionary innovation.
Alternatively, molnupiravir demonstrated a reduced risk for hospital stays or mortality from COVID-19 by roughly 30% in individuals at higher risk. This could explain why medical professionals advise utilizing this medication only if other treatments are not feasible or suitable.
It is fundamental to point out that the levels of efficacy were monitored when study members began taking Paxlovid or molnupiravir within five days of their initial sensations of symptoms. However, if these drugs are taken after this period, their effectiveness decreases significantly. Furthermore, it must be noted that this data was gathered before Omicron becoming the dominant strain in circulation.
Molnupiravir vs. Paxlovid: Similarities and Differences
Even though Molnupiravir and Paxlovid are both antiviral drugs that have yielded impressive results in treating the novel coronavirus, there are still some significant differences between them.
Mechanism of Action
Molnupiravir and Paxlovid show distinct methods of inhibiting the virus’s replication. By introducing mutations in its RNA, Molnupiravir prevents viral development while Paxlovid blocks out protease enzymes that would enable such propagation.
Administration
Molnupiravir 200 mg offers an appealing solution to those battling mild COVID-19 symptoms, as it is conveniently offered as an oral pill that can be taken at home. This makes it a desirable choice for individuals not under hospital care.
In contrast, Paxlovid is administered intravenously in a hospital setting and requires more invasive treatment for individuals with extreme COVID-19 symptoms. Consequently, those admitted to the hospital should only consider this remedy.
Clinical Trials
The clinical trials of both drugs have revealed impressive results. Molnupiravir demonstrated a reduction in severity and recovery time for mild-moderate cases, while Paxlovid displayed a 90% success rate amongst those at high risk from hospitalization or death caused by COVID-19.
Side Effects
While taking either Molnupiravir or Paxlovid, there is the possibility of experiencing unwanted side effects. Regarding Molnupiravir, a few common symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, and headaches, although these are normally mild and do not cause severe discomfort. On the other hand, Paxlovid may involve nausea, looseness of the bowels, and vomiting; however, in some cases, this drug has been linked with liver toxicity, which can be very serious.
Which one is better?
Determining which drug is superior is difficult, as both have delivered encouraging results in clinical trials. Nevertheless, Molnupiravir 200 mg stands out with its oral administration and gentle side effects making it an ideal choice for patients suffering from mild to moderate COVID-19 who don’t require hospitalization. Paxlovid may be the better option for those hospitalized due to severe virus symptoms necessitating more intensive treatment.
Conclusion
Molnupiravir and Paxlovid are two antiviral drugs that have proven successful in treating the novel coronavirus. You can purchase it from authenticated medicine store like Trustedmedz. Although both of them have yielded promising results, some differences exist, such as administration and side effects, that should be considered when deciding which drug is most suitable for your specific circumstances. It is important to note that these treatments must be initiated within the first five days of infection for optimal efficacy. Ultimately, you must consult your physician to determine which treatment is best for you.