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Health InformationCOVID-19 Oral Antiviral Treatment in Korea: Targets & Precautions

17 Jan 2022
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Targets for the COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Treatment


"Paxlovid," an oral antiviral medicine for COVID-19, was introduced in Korea on the 13th of January. As a result, those subject to medication will be able to use the treatment from the 14th.


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The initial amount of 21,000 Paxlovid, developed by Pfizer, a US pharmaceutical company, arrived at the Incheon International Airport cargo terminal on the afternoon of the January 13.


Paxlovid is first given to people aged 65 years or older, who are receiving home treatment or entering the life treatment center during immunosuppression, at the same time as the risk of severe progression within 5 days after symptom expression. The government plans to flexibly adjust and expand the dosage targets in consideration of the quarantine situation and supply.

 

The caregivers of people treated at home visits the pharmacy to receive the medicine, and if inevitable, the delivery will be made through the local government or pharmacy.


Before being prescribed Paxlovid, medical experts should be notified of allergies, liver disease or kidney disease, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and other serious diseases. In addition, it is necessary to inform doctors on all medicines currently being taken and whether to take complex hormone contraceptives.


Precautions for taking the COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Treatment


There are precautions when taking Paxlovid. A total of three pills, two pink pills and one white pill, should be taken at the same time, and swallowed entirely, not chewed or broken. Take it regardless of whether you eat or not, and even if your condition improves during the administration, you should not stop taking it without consulting the medical staff.


In addition, if you forget to take it, take it as soon as you remember if less than 8 hours have passed from the existing dose time, and if you forget for more than 8 hours, take the next dose at a fixed time. You should not take the dose twice at a time.


Source: The Korea Health News


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