Antiviral Pill Ensitrelvir Shows Promise in Reducing Loss of Smell and Taste in COVID-19

A new antiviral pill called ensitrelvir has shown promise in reducing the duration of loss of smell and taste, two unpleasant symptoms of COVID-19. Unlike other COVID-19 treatments, ensitrelvir is not reserved only for individuals at high risk of severe illness, making it more widely available to those with mild to moderate symptoms.
During the early stages of the pandemic, a significant percentage of COVID-19 patients experienced impaired smell or taste. While the antiviral drug molnupiravir has been shown to expedite the recovery of these senses, it is typically reserved for high-risk individuals.
In contrast, ensitrelvir, which received emergency approval in Japan last year, is available to individuals with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of their risk factors. Its developer, Shionogi in Osaka, Japan, is continuing clinical trials of the drug for further evaluation and potential approval outside Japan.
A recent clinical trial involved individuals with mild or moderate COVID-19 symptoms who were administered either 125 or 250 milligrams of ensitrelvir or a placebo. At the beginning of the study, 20% of participants reported some level of smell or taste loss. After the third day of treatment, the groups receiving ensitrelvir showed a more significant decline in the proportion of participants reporting these symptoms compared to the placebo group. By day seven, the group taking 250-milligram pills experienced a 39% lower rate of smell or taste loss compared to the placebo group. Three weeks into the treatment, all groups reported similar symptom scores.
These findings were presented at IDWeek, a conference of infectious-disease specialists and epidemiologists. While most people with COVID-19 eventually recover from these symptoms, some individuals continue to experience long-term issues with smell and taste. Ensitrelvir offers the potential to alleviate these symptoms and minimize the disruption caused by the infection.
Loss of smell and taste symptoms have become less common as the pandemic has evolved, particularly with the emergence of Omicron variants. However, they still occur and can be distressing for affected individuals. Earlier this year, Shionogi reported that ensitrelvir can reduce the duration of COVID-19 symptoms by approximately one day, providing a valuable tool to minimize the impact of the infection on people’s daily lives.
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Reference: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03224-x