Interventions

ASCOT is currently trialling the following treatment approach, called a ‘domain’.

  • Domain A: Antiviral Drugs – to stop the virus from multiplying
    • Remdesivir
    • Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir)
  1. Remdesivir
  • Remdesivir is a medicine used to help people who are sick with certain viruses, including the one that causes COVID-19.
  • Remdesivir works by interfering with the virus's ability to make copies of itself. This can help slow down the virus's spread in the body and give the immune system more time to fight it off.
  • Remdesivir is given intravenously through a drip, once a day, for 5 days or until you leave hospital.
  1. Paxlovid
  • Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir) is a combination of two different drugs that work together to fight viruses.
  • Nirmatrelvir is like a blocker that stops the virus from getting into our cells. Ritonavir helps to make sure that nirmatrelvir stays in the body longer, so it can keep working to stop the virus entering our cells.
  • Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir is given as an oral tablet for 5 days.

The tables below outline the possible side effects for each treatment and how likely they are to occur.

Common (>10%)

More than 10 people out of every 100 people will report this side effect

Uncommon (1-10%)

1 to 10 people out of every 100 people will report this side effect

Rare (0.1-1%)

1 in 1,000 to 1 in 100 people will report this side effect

Very Rare (<0.1%)

less than 1 in 1,000 people will report this side effect

 

Domain A – Antiviral Drugs

Remdesivir

Side Effect

Likelihood

Comment

Infusion-related reaction

Rare

Generally mild but can be severe. This can happen due to the administration of intravenous medications.

Hypersensitivity

Rare

Generally mild but can be severe. This can happen due to the immune systems response to remdesivir or its components.

Headache

Common

Generally mild to moderate. This is potentially caused by the effects of remdesivir on the central nervous system.

Nausea

Common

Generally mild to moderate. This is potentially caused by the effects of remdesivir on the gastrointestinal tract.

Rash

Common

This can happen due to the immune systems response to remdesivir or its components. Usually self resolves and doesn’t require any specific treatment

Increased liver enzymes

Very Common

This can happen due to the effect of remdesivir on the liver. Usually self resolves and doesn’t require any specific treatment

 

Longer time than usual for blood to clot 

Very Common

This can happen due to the effect of remdesivir on the liver. Usually self resolves and doesn’t require any specific treatment

 

 

Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir (Paxlovid)

Side Effect

Likelihood

Comment

Diarrhoea, Vomiting

Common

Generally mild to moderate. This is potentially caused by the indirect effects of Paxlovid on the gastrointestinal tract.

Altered sense of taste, Headache

Common

Generally mild to moderate. This is potentially caused by the effects of Paxlovid on the central nervous system.

Muscle pain

Uncommon

Usually self resolves and doesn’t require any specific treatment. This can happen due to the immune systems response to Paxlovid or its components.

High blood pressure

Uncommon

Usually self resolves and doesn’t require any specific treatment.