Paxlovid for the treatment of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yu Wang; Yuya Yang; Rong Shan; Liangfeng Zhao; Yanyan Bai; Liuliu Feng

doi:10.3855/jidc.19202

Paxlovid for the treatment of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors

Yu Wang Department of Cardiology, Shidong Hospital, Yangpu District, Shidong Hospital affiliated to University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 999 Shiguang Road, Shanghai 200438, China
Yuya Yang Department of Cardiology, Shidong Hospital, Yangpu District, Shidong Hospital affiliated to University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 999 Shiguang Road, Shanghai 200438, China
Rong Shan Department of Cardiology, Shidong Hospital, Yangpu District, Shidong Hospital affiliated to University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 999 Shiguang Road, Shanghai 200438, China
Liangfeng Zhao School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3435-9036
Yanyan Bai Department of Cardiology, Shidong Hospital, Yangpu District, Shidong Hospital affiliated to University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 999 Shiguang Road, Shanghai 200438, China
Liuliu Feng Department of Cardiology, Shidong Hospital, Yangpu District, Shidong Hospital affiliated to University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 999 Shiguang Road, Shanghai 200438, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.19202

Keywords:

COVID-19, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, Paxlovid, SARS‑CoV‑2, hospitalization

Abstract

Introduction: Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) is a new oral antiviral drug that is used for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is administered to patients with mild to moderate disease for five consecutive days. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Paxlovid in COVID-19 patients.

Methodology: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify relevant publications up to 9 March 2023. Three randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies, one prospective cohort study, and 25 retrospective cohort studies were identified for the meta-analysis.

Results: There was a significant difference between the Paxlovid and control groups in terms of hospitalization (RR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.24–0.69, p < 0.001), all-cause mortality (RR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.27–0.50, p < 0.001), hospitalization or death (RR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.37–0.67, p < 0.001), intensive care unit admission (RR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.27–0.73, p = 0.001), and emergency department visits (RR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.54–0.83, p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of COVID‐19 rebound (OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 0.82–1.68, p = 0.37). In addition, the Paxlovid group had a significantly shorter hospital length of stay (weighted mean difference WMD = -1.11; 95% CI, -1.81, -0.41; I² > 50%, p < 0.05), and polymerase chain reaction negative conversion time (WMD = -2.75; 95% CI, -3.60, -1.89, I² > 50%, p < 0.05) than that of the control group.

Conclusions: Paxlovid can be considered an effective therapeutic agent for treating patients with COVID-19.

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Published

2024-08-31

How to Cite

Wang Y, Yang Y, Shan R, Zhao L, Bai Y, Feng L (2024) Paxlovid for the treatment of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Infect Dev Ctries 18:1169–1178. doi: 10.3855/jidc.19202

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Issue

Vol. 18 No. 08: August 2024

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic

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