Xinhuanet: Antiviral treatment is an important measure for COVID-19 infection. In principle, oral drugs should be used as early as possible.
Xinhuanet, Beijing, January 20 (Reporter Wang Kunshuo) Since the new coronavirus infection was adjusted to "Category B and B", the focus of epidemic prevention and control has shifted from "preventing infection" to "protecting health and preventing severe disease." On January 18, the "Expert Consensus on Antiviral Treatment for Patients with Novel Coronavirus Infections" (hereinafter referred to as the "Expert Consensus") press conference was held in Beijing. Xinhuanet interviewed experts who participated in the writing of the "Expert Consensus" to explain issues related to antiviral treatment for patients with new coronavirus infections.
Oral drugs for COVID-19 can inhibit virus replication, and domestic drugs are more accessible to patients
The "Expert Consensus" states that inhibiting virus replication is crucial to controlling the progression of COVID-19 infection. Antiviral treatment is one of the main treatment measures for COVID-19 infection. Antiviral drugs for COVID-19 infection should be rationally selected based on the patient's disease course. The "Expert Consensus" provides a key interpretation of three small molecule antiviral drugs. Nematvir/ritonavir, azivudine and monogravir are suitable for different groups of people.
Among them, Azivudine is my country's first oral small molecule anti-COVID-19 treatment drug with completely independent intellectual property rights, and was included in the 10th edition of the "Diagnosis and Treatment Plan for Novel Coronavirus Infection" on January 6.
"The availability of antiviral drugs, especially small molecule drugs, has improved the treatment of patients infected with the new coronavirus and played an important role in effectively reducing the spread of the virus." said Zhang Fujie, the first author of the "Expert Consensus" and a professor at the National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases and Beijing Ditan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University.
Zhang Fujie, professor at the National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases and Beijing Ditan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University
According to reports, Azivudine Tablets has launched a global multi-center randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical study in China, Brazil and Russia. Data show that compared with the control group, Azivudine can significantly inhibit virus replication, significantly reduce viral load, shorten the time for nucleic acid to turn negative, and alleviate clinical symptoms.
Zhang Fujie believes that among the three drugs recommended by the "Expert Consensus", Azivudine is a drug with completely independent intellectual property rights in my country, which is more conducive to large-scale production in the country. At the same time, Azivudine has been included in medical insurance. Compared with foreign products, Azivudine is cheaper and more accessible to patients.
Since the new coronavirus antiviral drugs are mainly suitable for the elderly and people with underlying diseases, and they can be taken at home, their drug safety has attracted much attention. In terms of drug safety, the "Expert Consensus" provides guidance and suggestions on the applicable groups, application indications, drug interactions, comorbid diseases, liver and kidney function damage, adverse reactions, etc. of various oral small molecule drugs.
Zhang Fujie said that most of the people at high risk of severe COVID-19 are the elderly and people with underlying diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. The risk of combined medication is high, and the patient's condition must be carefully evaluated before taking medication. It is reported that Azivudine is taken at 5 mg per day. The small dose means that the risk of interaction with other drugs is relatively low and the safety profile is good.
At the same time, Zhang Fujie emphasized that for the use of oral antiviral drugs, the most suitable patients must first be selected, such as the elderly, those with underlying diseases and other high-risk groups who have the potential to develop severe disease; secondly, the medication must be taken as directed by the doctor.
Expert tip: It is not recommended that individuals take any antibacterial drugs on their own
In response to the impact of the new coronavirus infection, many grassroots, especially rural areas, have seen irregular use of antibacterial drugs. How to deal with this problem?
Yang Wenjie, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Tianjin First Central Hospital, said that judging from the research data and clinical observations of a large number of patients infected with the new coronavirus, the proportion of bacterial infections in early-stage patients is relatively low even if they are combined with pneumonia. Especially since the Omicron epidemic, upper respiratory tract infections have been the main problem, that is, symptoms such as fever and cough have occurred. Antibacterial drugs should not be used in the absence of bacterial infection. For severe patients or high-risk groups, Yang Wenjie said that there are many testing methods to check whether there is bacterial infection, such as basic blood routine, and then symptomatic antibacterial drug treatment can be carried out after confirmation.
Yang Wenjie, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Tianjin First Central Hospital
Yang Wenjie emphasized that if you are a patient at home, it is not recommended to take any antibacterial drugs by yourself. If you use drugs, you must consult a doctor.
Regarding the issue of promoting the standardized use of antimicrobial drugs at the grassroots level, Yang Wenjie said that the standardized application of antibacterial drugs must first be "moved forward" - medical staff must be trained in the early stage; secondly, guidance documents similar to the "Expert Consensus" must be communicated to the grassroots level in a timely manner so that doctors in communities and rural areas understand how to manage patients in a standardized manner.