Can a 5-Day pill course prevent long COVID? major trial underway
NCT ID NCT05852873
First seen Nov 21, 2025 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 24 times
Summary
This study tests whether taking Paxlovid (an antiviral pill) during the first 5 days of a COVID-19 infection can prevent long-COVID symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and memory problems. About 2000 adults aged 18-64 in Norway will receive either Paxlovid or a placebo, plus standard care. Researchers will check for long-COVID symptoms 3 months later.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Contacts and locations
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Locations
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Haukeland University Hospital
Bergen, Vestland, 5021, Norway
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could show that taking Paxlovid early during a COVID-19 infection reduces the chance of developing long-COVID symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and brain fog.
What could go wrong
This is a large phase 3 trial, but long-COVID is complex and may not be prevented by a short antiviral course. The results may not apply to everyone, and Paxlovid can have side effects or interact with other medications.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.