What are the side effects of antivirals ? With the memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of Health , AIFA, Federfarma Servizi, Federfarma, ASSOFARM, Farmacie Unite and ADF from 21 April, general practitioners can prescribe Pfizer's Paxlovid antiviral for the treatment of Omicron . A real revolution, which greatly speeds up the process of administering a medicine to block the most serious symptoms of Covid. But for every drug there are always adverse effects to be taken into account before taking.
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Antiviral side effects, the opinion of the Ema
As indicated by the EMA in the latest opinion regarding the use of Paxlovid, the most common side effects reported during treatment, and up to 34 days after the last dose of the medicine, were dysgeusia (altered taste), diarrhea and vomiting . The president of the Order of Doctors of Rome Antonio Magi reassures: «There may be. But, at the moment, at least for those who have used it, no serious situations have arisen. More than anything else we need to be careful of the allergic impact to excipients, or about joint therapies. The side effects are no more than an Aulin or aspirin itself. "
The advantages of a family doctor's prescription
Simplification greatly streamlines the process and also avoids waste. "It is an operation that had to be carried out even before - indicates the president of the Order of Doctors of Rome -, because we must simplify as much as possible access to care for people in need". In short, the bureaucracy has to be overcome, otherwise many drugs could remain unused. "If we have to wait for the symptoms, ask for authorization, take them from hospitals and then give them to patients - continues Magi - the path becomes difficult".
Which antiviral? Paxlovid or something else?
One question that all people who have Covid wonders is which antiviral is best to use. Here, too, the evaluation is made by the general practitioner who knows the patient's medical record. "All the antivirals that have an effect against Covid - underlines Magi - from Paxvlovid from Pfizer to Remdesivir are effective".
When can it be prescribed?
"These antivirals must be prescribed in the first few days, when they take effect: otherwise they won't produce it anymore," Magi explains. Although the evaluation always changes from case to case. "The family doctor who believes that the patient suffering from Covid has particular pathology conditions (even different from coronavirus) can prescribe the antiviral directly and then the patient can take it to the pharmacy - continues Magi -. Of course, like all diseases, it is the doctor who decides the type of drug and the prescription».
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