Prognosis

Pfizer Says Patients Who Relapse After Covid Pill Can Repeat Treatment

  • Executives say the rare phenomenon is unrelated to Paxlovid
  • U.S. government, academics seek more data on rebounding virus
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Pfizer Inc. executives said patients who suffer a relapse in Covid-19 symptoms after taking a full course of Paxlovid should take more of the treatment, though current U.S. guidelines limit use to five consecutive days.

“Paxlovid does what it has to do: it reduces the viral load,” Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla said in an interview. “Then your body is supposed to do the job.” But for unknown reasons, the CEO said, some patients aren’t able to clear the virus with the first course of treatment.