Antiviral drug may reduce COVID-19’s impact on taste and smell.
New Medication Shows Promise in Treating COVID-19 Symptoms
Exciting new data suggests that scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against COVID-19. A medication originally developed to combat the virus has shown potential in reducing the duration of two common symptoms: loss of taste and smell.
The oral antiviral drug ensitrelvir, also known as Xocova, was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for investigation as a potential COVID-19 treatment. Recent clinical trials published in Clinical Infectious Diseases have confirmed its safety and effectiveness in suppressing viral replication in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19.
Ensitrelvir, developed by pharmaceutical giant Shionogi Inc., is now gaining attention for its ability to address the lingering symptoms of loss of taste and smell. Researchers have found that administering the drug within three days of symptom onset may prevent or reduce these sensory issues. The phase 2/3 clinical study results showed a significantly smaller proportion of patients experiencing taste or smell disorders when treated with ensitrelvir compared to a placebo.
Related Stories
- Drug Used to Treat COVID-Related Loss of Smell Found Ineffective: Study – 10/11/2023
- Aromatherapy to Improve Abnormal Sense of Smell and Taste From Long COVID – 9/10/2023
Dr. Yohei Doi, a professor of medicine at Fujita Health University in Japan, expressed optimism about ensitrelvir’s potential as a valuable tool in managing the unpredictable nature of COVID-19. The recent data provides further confidence in this investigational agent and its potential as a meaningful treatment option for patients.
The findings were presented at the October 2023 IDWeek meeting in Boston, where infectious disease specialists and epidemiologists from around the world gathered to discuss the latest research.
Although ensitrelvir is still under investigation and has only received emergency approval in Japan, Shionogi’s senior vice president of drug development and regulatory science, Takeki Uehara, is hopeful that it will soon be available globally pending regulatory approvals.
Loss of Taste and Smell in US Adults
A recent study published in Laryngoscope revealed that in 2021, approximately 35.8 million adults in the United States, accounting for 14 percent of the population, were diagnosed with COVID-19. Among these individuals, an estimated 60.5 percent experienced loss of smell, while 58.2 percent reported loss of taste.
Fortunately, the majority of patients (over 72 percent) fully recovered their sense of smell after the infection. However, about 25 percent experienced only partial recovery, and approximately 4 percent had not regained their sense of smell at all.
Similar recovery patterns were observed for taste, with around 77 percent regaining their sense of taste, 20 percent reporting partial recovery, and less than 3 percent experiencing no recovery.
The authors of the study emphasized the importance of interventions that reduce the overall burden of COVID-19 symptoms, as prolonged sensory dysfunction can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and mental well-being.
Other Treatments
Loss of taste and smell can have various negative effects on individuals, including a significant impact on their overall quality of life and nutritional intake. Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem have also been associated with these sensory losses.
Fortunately, there are treatments available to help regain these senses. Smell retraining therapy (SRT) involves repeated exposure to familiar scents to stimulate memories and restore the sense of smell. Patients are recommended to sniff individual scents for at least 10 to 20 seconds once or twice a day, focusing entirely on the task. The four best scents for this therapy are rose, lemon, cloves, and eucalyptus. This exercise should be performed for at least three months.
Similarly, taste recovery is possible through various strategies. The University of Texas MD Anderson Center suggests incorporating lemon into the diet to stimulate saliva and taste buds. Additionally, integrating sweet, salty, spicy, and sour foods, as well as experimenting with different textures, can help improve taste perception. Alternating between hot and cold foods is also recommended.
What potential benefits does ensitrelvir offer in reducing the duration of loss of taste and smell in COVID-19 patients?
of taste and smell as a symptom. Loss of taste and smell, or anosmia, has been recognized as a common symptom of COVID-19 since the early stages of the pandemic. Although it is usually temporary, some individuals experience prolonged or permanent loss of these senses.
The impact of loss of taste and smell can be significant, affecting a person’s appetite, enjoyment of food, and overall quality of life. In some cases, it can also lead to weight loss and malnutrition. Therefore, finding effective treatments to address these symptoms is crucial for the well-being of COVID-19 patients.
The potential of ensitrelvir to reduce the duration of loss of taste and smell is highly encouraging. By intervening early in the course of the illness, this medication may help prevent or alleviate these sensory issues, resulting in a better overall recovery for patients. It is also worth noting that ensitrelvir is an oral drug, which makes it more convenient and accessible for patients compared to other treatments that require hospitalization or intravenous administration.
While the results of the clinical trials are promising, further research is needed to fully understand the effectiveness and safety of ensitrelvir in treating COVID-19 symptoms. It is important to continue monitoring the drug’s performance in diverse patient populations and assess its long-term effects.
As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, new treatment options like ensitrelvir provide a glimmer of hope. The potential to reduce the duration of loss of taste and smell is a significant step forward in improving the management of COVID-19 symptoms. However, it is important to underscore the importance of vaccination, mask-wearing, and other preventive measures in curbing the spread of the virus, as these remain the most effective strategies in reducing the overall burden of COVID-19.
In conclusion, the development of ensitrelvir as a potential COVID-19 treatment and its positive impact on reducing the duration of loss of taste and smell are encouraging developments in the fight against the virus. Continued research and regulatory approvals will be instrumental in making this medication widely available to patients around the world. As the medical community and pharmaceutical companies strive to address the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19, these advancements provide hope for a brighter and healthier future.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...