Longer Paxlovid Treatment Provides No Additional Advantage for Long COVID Patients

**Extended Use of Paxlovid Shows No Benefit for Long COVID, Study Finds**

In a significant development reported on June 7, 2024, a new study published in *JAMA Internal Medicine* reveals that an extended course of Paxlovid, the antiviral drug, does not alleviate symptoms of Long COVID. This finding comes as a disappointment for millions hoping for an effective treatment against the persistent condition.

The study, led by Dr. Upinder Singh, chief of infectious disease and geographic medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, aimed to explore the potential of Paxlovid in treating Long COVID, a condition affecting an estimated 10% to 20% of COVID-19 survivors in the United States. These patients experience a range of symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath, which persist for months after the initial infection has cleared.

Researchers had hypothesized that Paxlovid could offer relief by targeting viral particles and molecular debris believed to contribute to Long COVID symptoms. To test this theory, the team conducted a trial involving 155 Long COVID patients who had been infected with the virus more than 16 months prior. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a 15-day course of Paxlovid or a placebo, significantly longer than the five-day course recommended for treating acute COVID-19 infections.

However, after 10 weeks, the study found no statistically significant difference in symptom improvement between the two groups. Despite this setback, the trial did confirm that Paxlovid could be safely administered over an extended period, potentially benefiting newly infected, immunocompromised patients.

While the results may seem discouraging, Dr. Singh emphasizes that they do not entirely negate the possibility of Paxlovid being beneficial for Long COVID treatment. Future research could explore different patient groups, durations of treatment, or specific symptoms that might respond better to antiviral therapy.

The study, funded by Pfizer Inc., the pharmaceutical company behind Paxlovid, underscores the ongoing challenge of finding effective treatments for Long COVID. As the medical community continues to grapple with the condition, this research marks a critical step in understanding and eventually overcoming one of the pandemic’s most enduring legacies.