Drug interactions with Paxlovid common in older adults with polypharmacy: JAMA
Canada: Among the elderly on polypharmacy, drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) were most commonly reported with antithrombotics and statins, states an article published in the JAMA Network Open.
Anticipatory deprescribing could increase the proportion of older adults who benefit from nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, the researchers note. The study suggests that deprescribing potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), rather than simply represcribing after receiving nirmatrelvir-ritonavir could be beneficial for older adults with polypharmacy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the global population in drastic ways, especially the older adults. Despite the availability of vaccines for COVID-19, older adults remain one of the most vulnerable populations in terms of hospitalization and death due to the physiological changes that come with aging and potential underlying health conditions.
FDA granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) for nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (marketed as Paxlovid), the first oral antiviral for the treatment of COVID-19. Comparatively, Paxlovid is one of the most effective treatments for COVID-19 outpatients, among several novels or repurposed medications already studied. It reduces the risk of severe complications in high-risk, symptomatic, unvaccinated adults with COVID-19 but also has a long list of DDIs, limiting its safe use, especially among older adults with polypharmacy. Due to its potent CYP3A4 inhibition, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir is associated with many drug-drug interactions (DDI).
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