Majority of COVID-19 Remedies Discovered to Be Relatively Safe
Here's an informal, straightforward rewrite of the article:
Worried about the side effects of COVID-19 treatments? You're not alone. With the rapid development of new treatments, it's natural to have concerns about their safety. Well, fear not! A recent study by the Keck School of Medicine has found that most COVID-19 treatments carry a minimal risk of serious side effects.
The researchers analyzed various studies, including clinical trials, to evaluate the safety of these treatments. Their focus was on serious side effects, the ones that could land you in the hospital or worse. And the good news is, for commonly used medications like Paxlovid, there's no evidence of major harm.
Some treatments, like monoclonal antibodies, are no longer in use. But they weren't discontinued due to safety concerns. Instead, they stopped working effectively against newer variants of the virus. One exception is Actemra, which did show a higher risk of dropping white blood cell counts and infections in some patients. But that risk is already listed in the drug's warning labels, so doctors are aware of it.
Convalescent plasma, which uses antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients, did show a slight increased risk of internal bleeding, infections, or blood clots. But these risks were already known, so doctors take them into account when prescribing this treatment.
Most people with COVID-19 don't need these treatments. They usually recover on their own with rest and fluids. But for people at higher risk, such as older adults, those with heart or lung problems, the overweight, or those with weak immune systems, these treatments can help lower the risk of hospitalization or death.
To ensure they got the full picture, the researchers didn't just rely on published studies. They also looked at information sent to the FDA and unpublished clinical trial data. This gave them a broader view of how these treatments really perform.
The team's work was part of a larger effort to help the government make fair decisions on claims from people who believe they were harmed by these treatments. If you think you were injured by a COVID-19 treatment, you can apply for assistance through a government program. With this review, decisions can now be based on stronger evidence.
So, if you're considering COVID-19 treatment, rest easy. The medications used today for high-risk patients appear to be safe, and most do not come with serious risks. Medical professionals are continuously monitoring for any issues, but for now, patients and families can feel more confident in the care being offered.
Sources:
- COVID-19 treatments show minimal serious side effects
- Rapid Systematic Review of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-Authorized COVID-19 Treatments
- In the realm of health and wellness, keeping abreast of the safety of medical-conditions treatments, such as COVID-19 treatments, is essential for the scientific community, and indeed, for patients as well.
- As for the safety of specific COVID-19 treatments like Paxlovid, the Keck School of Medicine's recent study found that these medications carry a minimal risk of serious side effects, providing a sense of relief for those concerned about their safety.
