Postexposure Prophylaxis With Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir Does Not Cut COVID-19 Infection

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on July 18, 2024.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, July 18, 2024 -- Postexposure prophylaxis with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir for five or 10 days does not reduce the risk for symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, according to a study published in the July 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Jennifer Hammond, Ph.D., from Pfizer in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and colleagues conducted a phase 2 to 3 double-blind trial to examine the efficacy and safety of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in asymptomatic adults who had been exposed to a household contact with COVID-19 within 96 hours before randomization and were rapid antigen test-negative for COVID-19. Participants were randomly assigned to nirmatrelvir-ritonavir every 12 hours for five days (921 participants) or for 10 days (917 participants) or to matching placebo for five or 10 days (898 participants).

The researchers found that symptomatic, confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection developed by day 14 in 2.6, 2.4, and 3.9 percent of participants in the five-day nirmatrelvir-ritonavir group, the 10-day nirmatrelvir-ritonavir group, and placebo group, respectively. The percentage of participants in whom symptomatic, confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection developed did not differ significantly for each nirmatrelvir-ritonavir group versus the placebo group, with risk reductions relative to placebo of 29.8 and 35.5 percent in the five- and 10-day nirmatrelvir-ritonavir groups, respectively. The trial groups had a similar incidence of adverse events.

"Among adult household contacts of symptomatic persons with confirmed COVID-19, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir given as postexposure prophylaxis for five or 10 days did not significantly reduce the risk of development of SARS-CoV-2 infection as compared with placebo," the authors write.

The study was funded by Pfizer, the manufacturer of oral nirmatrelvir-ritonavir.

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords