On Nov. 11, 2024, findings from two studies have tied use of the antiviral drug nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) to a reduction in COVID-19 hospitalizations and death, as well as to faster resolution of symptoms and less use of healthcare resources.

In the first study, published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection, a Medical University of Vienna–led research team compared the effectiveness of Paxlovid with that of the antiviral drug molnupiravir (Lagevrio)—and with that of not receiving an antiviral—against hospitalization and all-cause death from January 2022 to May 2023.

A total of 0.43% of Paxlovid recipients, 1.4% of molnupiravir users, and 1.13% of controls were hospitalized within 28 days (risk difference [RD], -0.7%; Paxlovid vs control RD, 0.26%). No Paxlovid recipients and 0.13% each of molnupiravir users and controls died.

The second study, a phase 2/3 randomized clinical trial published today in Clinical Infectious Diseases, also found protection against COVID-19 hospitalization and death in adults receiving Paxlovid and demonstrated a faster resolution of symptoms and lower use of healthcare resources compared with a placebo in high-risk patients.

Paxlovid significantly shortened the time to symptom relief (median, 13 vs 15 days; hazard ratio [HR], 1.27) and resolution (16 vs 19 days; HR, 1.20) through 28 days and cut the number of COVID-related medical visits by 64.3% and the proportion of patients seeking care by 73.2%.