Nirmatrelvir and Molnupiravir and Post–COVID-19 Condition in Older Patients

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Abstract
While the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be winding down, its effects are still felt by the millions of people worldwide experiencing post–COVID-19 condition (PCC, or long COVID).1 The antiviral drug nirmatrelvir (marketed as Paxlovid [Pfizer], in combination with ritonavir) and molnupiravir (Lagevrio [Merch]) are recommended as first- and second-line treatments for acute illness in patients with specific risk factors (eg, diabetes).2 However, there are still no US Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs for the treatment or prevention of PCC. Recent studies among US veterans (mostly male) suggest that nirmatrelvir and molnupiravir reduce the risk of some sequelae of COVID-19.3,4 We performed a cohort study of the 2 drugs in PCC in older patients who were Medicare enrollees.