COVID-19 Viral Rebound Occurs With Molnupiravir, No Antivirals

(US Pharmacist) Viral rebound sometimes occurs after treatment with Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir; ritonavir) for the treatment of COVID-19. Apparently, viral rebound also occurs with molnupiravir but not very commonly, according to a new study. Researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong sought to examine the incidence of viral rebound in patients with COVID-19 who were treated with those oral antiviral agents. To do that, the study team conducted a cohort study of patients with COVID-19 in Hong Kong who were hospitalized from January 1, 2022, to March 31, 2022. This study assessed 12,629 patients with serial cycle threshold (Ct) values that were measured. Follow-up of the patients continued until the occurrence of the clinical end point of interest, death, date of data retrieval (July 31, 2022), or up to 30 days of follow-up, whichever came first.