New Covid Strategies
The FDA has recently approved (emergency use authorization) two oral antivirals and a monoclonal antibody for Covid.
The antivirals are designed for out patient use in mild to moderate Covid-19. Both have proven to be active against the original Corona virus and its new variants.
Paxlovid uses two agents: nirmatrelvir (a viral protease inhibitor) and ritonavir (a CYP3a inhibitor). The treatment is for 5 days and can be used down to the age of 12.
Lagevrio contains molnupiravir a nucleoside analog that can be used down to 18-year-olds but not in pregnant women. Again, it is a 5-day treatment.
The monoclonal therapy is Evusheld and it contains two long lasting (6 months) antibodies: tixagevimab and cilgavimab. It is not a vaccine but a prophylaxis for people who are immune compromised (whether or not they have also been vaccinated) and for patients who can not receive one of the existing vaccines.
Many immunocompromised individuals have a poor response to the vaccines and Evusheld provides an additional method of protection.