The Nationwide Institutes of Well being mentioned Monday it launched mid-stage medical trials to check at the very least 4 therapies, together with Pfizer‘s antiviral Covid-19 capsule Paxlovid, as potential therapies for lengthy Covid. 

There is no such thing as a confirmed therapy for the situation, which refers to signs that proceed or develop within the weeks or months following an preliminary Covid an infection. It impacts an estimated 23 million Individuals.

associated investing information

Well being care suppliers usually attempt to deal with the usually debilitating signs related to lengthy Covid, akin to power ache, reminiscence loss and intense fatigue. However the lack of a particular lengthy Covid therapy pushes some sufferers to hunt unproven – and doubtlessly harmful – cures for the situation. 

“We all know that when sufferers are struggling, we are able to by no means transfer quick sufficient,” mentioned performing NIH director Lawrence Tabak. “NIH is dedicated to a extremely coordinated and scientifically rigorous method to search out therapies that can present reduction for the tens of millions of individuals residing with lengthy COVID.”

NIH will check the protection and effectiveness of the therapies – which embody each medicine and medical units – in teams of 100 to 300 sufferers with lengthy Covid signs. 

The primary a part of the part two trial will check an extended dosing routine of Paxlovid to see if it improves lengthy Covid signs. 

Sufferers usually take Paxlovid inside 5 days of creating Covid signs to cut back their danger of hospitalization or demise, in response to the Meals and Drug Administration’s approval of the drug in Could. To finish a full course of Paxlovid, sufferers should take three tablets twice a day for 5 days. 

NIH mentioned one other a part of the research can even check for mind fog and memory-related signs.

The company will check medical therapies like a web-based mind coaching program known as BrainHQ and a tool that makes use of a small electrical present to stimulate mind exercise. 

NIH expects to launch further medical trials to check at the very least seven extra therapies “within the coming months.”