Side effects of antivirals

 

What are the side effects of antivirals?

Antiviral drugs help the body by fighting against harmful viruses. The drugs can ease symptoms and shorten the length of a viral infection.

Antiviral drugs also lower the risk of getting or spreading viruses that cause herpes and HIV. One approved antiviral treats the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Antivirals are drugs that help human body fighting against certain viruses that can cause disease. Antiviral drugs are also preventive. They can protect humans from getting viral infections or spreading a virus from one to another human.

Viruses are tiny organisms (microscopic) which can cause infections and can grow and multiply inside living cells of an organism. Viruses have receptors that allow them to attach to healthy (host) cells in your body. Once a virus attaches to and enters a host cell, it can replicate (make copies of itself). The host cell dies, and the virus infects other healthy cells.

 Side effects from antiviral drugs vary depending on the drug type and strength i.e dosage. Side effects may include:

Cough.

Dry mouth.

Diarrhoea.

Dizziness.

Fatigue.

Headaches.

Insomnia.

Joint pain or muscle pain.

Nausea and vomiting.

Skin rash.

 

Side Effects of Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir)

 

Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir) is an oral antiviral medication used to treat COVID-19 in people at high risk for severe illness.

It has a few mild side effects.

Most Common side effect:

Bitter or metallic taste in the mouth.

Others include:

Diarrhoea.

Muscle aches.

Liver damage.

People already having liver problems may exaggerate this condition.

Reference:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/11/2021.

 

https://www.goodrx.com/paxlovid/known-side-effects

Written by Christina Aungst, PharmD | Reviewed by Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Published on September 16, 2022