Although the worst phase of pandemic has passed, hospitalization due to Covid-19 is still happening in various parts of the world, especially because of unvaccinated people. Of course, if it depends on the researchers of the study published in the New England Journal Of Medicine, such a situation may have its days numbered. See why!
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The study that analyzed patients with SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil and Canada, states that a single-use injection reduces by half the risk of hospitalization due to the virus, especially when compared to people who used placebo. The survey had the participation of 1,900 participants from 18 to 92 years old.
The news, although encouraging, still needs to go through more stages of scientific investigation to get approval for regular use in the United States. At the study, people who showed symptoms of Covid-19 were divided into two groups. Each of them received different medications. In one group, a placebo was administered orally or injected. In the other, the drug called PEG-lambda was introduced.
Among vaccinated patients, after receiving a single injection with a substance called PEG-lambda (interferon pegylated lambda), 51% of them were less likely to be hospitalized or attend clinics emergency. Among unvaccinated people, the effect is even greater and manages to reduce the chance of hospitalization by 89%.
In addition to Covid-19, PEG-lambda is also considered a broad-spectrum antiviral, that is, it can be used in cases of other viral diseases.
Paxlovid is older option to reduce severe COVID side effects
Unfortunately, it is not medicine that is available to everyone.
In the United States, there is another medication that can also reduce the risk of hospitalization and death in more severe cases of the disease, which is known as Paxlovid. Although authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the equivalent to the Health Surveillance Agency in Brazil, Paxlovid cannot be administered to all patients. The Covid-19 virus may show drug resistance.
Unlike PEG-lambda, which is a single-use medication, Paxlovid is administered via pills, which patients must take twice a day for five days. In all, the person should use 30 pills to reduce the risks of developing severe symptoms caused by the virus.
