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Possible nirmatrelvir/ritonavir-induced bradycardia in a patient with asymptomatic COVID-19
Elizabeth DeMarco1, Matthew Turnipseed1, Brian Clarke1
1Shore Medical Center, Somers Point, NJ, USA.
Insights
Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, a new COVID-19 treatment, may cause symptomatic bradycardia. This case report highlights a potential adverse effect of this novel antiviral therapy.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
- Cardiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant global mortality and morbidity.
- Novel antiviral treatments, including nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, were developed to mitigate severe disease.
- Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir received emergency use authorization for nonhospitalized patients.
Observation:
- A patient was treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for COVID-19.
- The patient subsequently developed symptomatic bradycardia.
Findings:
- This case presents a potential adverse effect of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir therapy.
- Symptomatic bradycardia was observed in a patient receiving nirmatrelvir/ritonavir.
Implications:
- Further investigation into the cardiovascular safety of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is warranted.
- Clinicians should be aware of potential adverse effects, such as bradycardia, when prescribing nirmatrelvir/ritonavir.
- This case underscores the importance of monitoring patients for unexpected side effects of new medications.
Abstract:
COVID-19 emerged in 2019 and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. COVID-19 is highly transmissible and can lead to bilateral pneumonia with severe respiratory failure. COVID-19 has led to more than 6.5 million deaths worldwide. The significant morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 have resulted in the development of treatment modalities, such as novel antivirals, to reduce hospitalizations and progression of disease. In 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration authorized nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for emergency use in nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19. Nirmatrelvir is a newly developed protease inhibitor and is combined with a commonly used pharmacokinetic boosting agent, ritonavir. Given the novelty of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, potential adverse effects remain uncertain. In this case, we describe a patient who was initiated on a course of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and developed symptomatic bradycardia.
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