[keyanp]

Headline is a bit misleading, the important conclusion is near the end:

“Bloom thinks the researchers make a good case that molnupiravir treatment is yielding some highly mutated viruses with the capacity to spread. But it’s not clear whether this could contribute to new coronavirus variants, or whether it is simply creating weakling viruses that are unlikely to spread very far.”

If it’s the former then I imagine the case is pretty strong to discontinue usage and switch to Paxlovid.

[KVFinn]

>If it’s the former then I imagine the case is pretty strong to discontinue usage and switch to Paxlovid.

Molnupiravir is already the last line treatment, it's been that way from the start. It should never be used in cases where the patient can take Paxlovid. Well it's above Convalescent Plasma, but that's because that's barely beneficial and I don't know if anyone is even using it now.

In order of preference:

1. Paxlovid 2. Remdesivir 3. Various IV Monoclonals 4. Molnupiravir 5. Plasma

https://twiv.s3.amazonaws.com/COVID+treatment+summary+020223...

[cameldrv]

Yeah it seems like Remdesivir doesn’t get mentioned much anymore. IIRC it had not so great efficacy numbers in earlier studies where it was given later after someone came to the hospital with COVID. Also IIRC it trialed pretty well if given early on an outpatient basis. It seems like it could fill some of the hole left now that mAbs don’t work, especially for people who can’t take Paxlovid.

[KVFinn]

That's right. Remdesivir was underrated for awhile because the tests were done late in treatment. It's nearly as effective as Pax if given early.

I believe Remdesivir is also one of only treatments that has any effectiveness past the first week of infection as well.

[yosito]

The former and the latter seem like two sides of the same coin.

[elif]

Ya it seems like an overessentialized dichotomous understanding imposed logically over what is essentially unsupervised gambling.