Peking University Hospital experts: there is no new crown special drugs, small molecule oral antiviral drugs are generally best used within 5 days

January 9, 2023January 9, 2023

Read Time:1 Minute, 27 Second

On January 9, the State Council Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism held a press conference to introduce the 10th edition of the treatment plan. Wang Guiqiang, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Peking University First Hospital, explained the role that small molecule drugs can play in antiviral rescue and treatment.

Wang Guiqiang said that so far, there is no special drug for the treatment of new coronavirus infection, so the emphasis is still on comprehensive treatment, including symptomatic support therapy, early antiviral therapy, early oxygen therapy, immunotherapy, anticoagulation therapy, etc.; for important organ failure, such as respiratory failure, there is also respiratory support therapy as well as organ function support.

According to the introduction, antiviral therapy is an important part of comprehensive treatment, and the tenth edition of the treatment plan includes three oral small-molecule antiviral drugs. Small-molecule oral antivirals remove or suppress the virus by directly inhibiting viral replication to reduce clinical symptoms, shorten the course of illness, reduce the risk of severe illness, and ultimately reduce the risk of hospitalization and death. It is characterized by oral administration, is more convenient, and can be used in hospitals, as well as in the community, clinics, and outpatient clinics.

However, Wang Guiqiang stressed that small-molecule oral antivirals should be used early, the earlier the better, and are generally best used within 5 days, with the effect greatly reduced when used outside of 5 days. Second, to be used for people at high risk of severe disease, the general population is not very valuable to use after infection. Because there are drug interactions and adverse reactions, it is emphasized that the indications should be strictly controlled and used under the guidance of a physician.