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Paxlovid is a medication used in adults to treat COVID-19 who tested positive for the virus and are at high risk of developing severe disease or hospitalization. It is an FDA-approved pill and it contains two drugs, nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, which work together to inhibit the replication of the virus in the body. Paxlovid is an oral tablet intended to be used as soon as possible after a positive COVID-19 test and within five days of the onset of symptoms. It is important to note that Paxlovid is not a replacement for vaccination, and should be used in conjunction with other preventative measures such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing. This is a prescription-only drug and should only be used when being supervised by a healthcare provider.
What is Paxlovid?
Paxlovid is an antiviral medication that was approved for emergency use in 2020 to treat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). It is composed of two drugs, one which blocks a key enzyme the coronavirus needs to replicate and another that blocks the first drug's metabolism in the liver. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized Paxlovid for individuals at high risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19, such as people 65 and older and those with underlying medical conditions.
While there are other antiviral medications and monoclonal antibody drugs that may reduce the risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19, Paxlovid offers a convenient and highly effective option. Studies have shown that approximately 5% of people experience COVID-19 symptoms and test positive for the virus again after completing a five-day course of Paxlovid. This rebound effect is still being debated as to how many patients are affected and why it occurs. Some medical experts think that adjusting the timing or duration of a course of Paxlovid might reduce the chances of a rebound effect, but this has yet to be tested. Generally, people should not take a second course of Paxlovid if they experience a rebound effect.
When talking about insomnia, it is defined by psychology as difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep for an adequate amount of time. While Paxlovid is not considered a cure for insomnia, it can be used to reduce the severity of symptoms from COVID-19 which could help improve one's sleep quality.
How does Paxlovid work?
Paxlovid is an oral antiviral drug combination with activity against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It contains two active ingredients: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Nirmatrelvir is an antiviral drug that works by cleaving viral polyproteins, which helps inhibit the replication of the virus. Ritonavir is co-administered to "boost" the activity of nirmatrelvir and increase its efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.
Studies have shown that Paxlovid has similar antiviral activity against the alpha, beta, gamma, and lambda variants of SARS-CoV-2. Early in vitro data also suggest that Paxlovid is active against the omicron variant as well. This suggests that Paxlovid may be effective against the majority of variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Though Paxlovid has not been tested as a cure for insomnia, there is evidence to suggest it could be effective against symptoms of insomnia such as difficulty falling or staying asleep. According to the American Psychological Association, insomnia is defined as a disorder in which a person experiences difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or they experience non-restorative sleep. If further studies show that Paxlovid is effective at treating insomnia, it may indeed become the cure for insomnia.
What are the side effects of Paxlovid?
Paxlovid is usually very well-tolerated, however, there are some side effects to be aware of. If any of the following occur, stop taking Paxlovid and call your health care provider right away:
- - hives,
- - trouble swallowing or breathing,
- - swelling of the mouth, lips, or face,
- - throat tightness,
- - hoarseness,
- - skin rash.
Other possible side effects include an altered or impaired sense of taste, diarrhea, increased blood pressure, muscle aches, abdominal pain, nausea, feeling generally unwell. Patients with mild-to-moderate kidney disease may require dose adjustments, and Paxlovid is not recommended for patients with severe kidney disease or on dialysis, or those with severe liver disease.
Anyone who takes Paxlovid should contact their health provider right away if they have any signs and symptoms of liver problems: loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), dark-coloured urine, pale-coloured stools and itchy skin, or stomach-area (abdominal) pain.
Is Paxlovid the cure for insomnia?
In clinical trials or the medical literature, sleeplessness has not been described as a side effect of Paxlovid. Nonetheless, some people have reported anecdotal sleep disturbance while using Paxlovid.
It is still unknown if Paxlovid directly causes sleep disruption. Yet, there are a few possible causes for why you may be having difficulties sleeping while taking Paxlovid. Paxlovid, for example, has two typical side effects: muscular discomfort and diarrhoea. If you have these adverse effects while taking the medicine, you may sleep worse than normal. Moreover, COVID-19 generates symptoms such as chills, fever, cough, and muscular soreness, which might affect your sleep.
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References:
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/insomnia/does-paxlovid-cause-insomnia
2. https://khn.org/news/article/covid-drug-paxlovid-questions-answered-should-patients-take-it/
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