The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Thursday the final approval of the first oral tablet for the treatment of Covid-19, Paxoviduntil now approved for emergency use.

Its statement indicates that the oral antiviral drug Paxlovid is the fourth drug and first antiviral pilll an oral medication approved for the treatment of Covid-19 in adults.

The benefit of Paxlovid has been demonstrated in patients with prior immunity to the virus that causes covid. The FDA recommends its use when an infection mild to moderatefor adults at high risk of severe illness.

The risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19 or death from any cause within 28 days of follow-up was 0.2% among 490 people who received Paxlovid, compared with 1.7% among 479 people who received placebo.

“Today’s approval demonstrates that it meets the agency’s stringent safety and efficacy standards and remains an important treatment option for people at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19, including those with pre-immune status,” he said. FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Patricia Cavazzoni.

(EFE)