Evaluation of nirmatrelvir + ritonavir therapy in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19

Abstract

Background. Coronavirus infection can provoke a number of diseases, ranging from acute respiratory infection to acute respiratory distress syndrome. As the virus mutates, treatment recommendations change to reflect the safest and most effective treatments available. The combined drug nirmatrelvir + ritonavir is included in the list of possible drugs for the treatment of mild and moderate COVID-19 in adults as an etiotropic therapy. There is evidence to reduce the risk of hospitalization while taking this drug. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination drug nirmatrelvir in combination with ritonavir. Materials and methods. The study involved outpatients (n=68), aged 18 to 80 years, with symptoms of COVID-19 and a positive laboratory test result no more than 5 days old. The participants were randomized into two groups. The first group of patients took the combined drug nirmatrelvir + ritonavir for 5 days. The second group of participants received standard therapy in accordance with the interim guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. Results. Patients who took the combination drug nirmatrelvir + ritonavir did not have disease progression to a severe course. Also, in the group that took the combined drug nirmatrelvir + ritonavir, there was not a single case of worsening clinical condition. Some patients treated with the combination drug achieved complete clinical recovery by the 6-7th day from the start of therapy. The results obtained showed the effectiveness of the combined drug more than 2 times compared with standard therapy. Conclusions. The obtained results testify to the effectiveness of the use of the combined preparation, providing more effective elimination of the virus, effectively affecting the resolution of clinical symptoms and reducing the risk of complications.

Keywords

• combination drug nirmatrelvir in combination with ritonavir
• new coronavirus infection
• covid-19
• etiotropic therapy