{
  "id": 3049910,
  "title": "How well do COVID antivirals actually work? Not as well as we thought",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/how-well-do-covid-antivirals-actually-work-not-as-well-as-we-thought-3049910",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-24T15:20:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-covid-antivirals-thought.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the wake of high vaccination rates and repeated COVID-19 infections, the effectiveness of COVID antivirals has diminished, according to recent research. Two drugs, Paxlovid and Lagevrio, were initially hailed for their ability to reduce severe illness and death in COVID-19 patients. However, new studies suggest these antivirals are no longer as effective as previously thought. As the virus has evolved and become less severe over time, the need for antiviral treatment has also decreased. Additionally, the high costs of these medications, when compared to standard influenza treatments, further question their value. While Paxlovid has shown some benefit in reducing hospitalization and death in certain groups, Lagevrio has not demonstrated significant effectiveness. It is crucial for individuals to consult their healthcare providers to determine if antiviral treatment is appropriate for their specific situation.",
  "summary": "If you're 70 or older, or 50 or older with underlying health conditions, and have tested positive for COVID, you might have been offered free or subsidized antivirals.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Conversation AU",
        "title": "How well do COVID antivirals actually work? Not as well as we thought",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/how-well-do-covid-antivirals-actually-work-not-as-well-as-we-thought",
        "published": "2026-08-23T20:04:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "How well do COVID antivirals actually work? Not as well as we thought",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/how-well-do-covid-antivirals-actually-work-not-as-well-as-we-thought",
        "published": "2026-08-24T05:41:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}