Meta analysis shows 4% [-5‑12%] lower mortality, and pooled analysis using the most serious outcome reported shows 2% [-6‑9%] lower risk, without reaching statistical significance.
While studies to date show a small mortality improvement, meta regression with followup duration shows that this efficacy disappears with longer followup. There is also no benefit seen for mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, hospitalization, or progression. This may reflect antiviral efficacy being offset by side effects of treatment.
Studies show significantly increased risk of acute kidney injury Gérard, Wu, Zhou.
Prescription treatments have been preferentially used by patients at lower risk Wilcock. Retrospective studies may overestimate efficacy, for example patients with greater knowledge of effective treatments may be more likely to access prescription treatments but result in confounding because they are also more likely to use known beneficial non-prescription treatments.
No treatment or intervention is 100% effective. All practical, effective, and safe means should be used based on risk/benefit analysis. Multiple treatments are typically used in combination, and other treatments are significantly more effective.
All data to reproduce this paper and sources are in the appendix.
Covid Analysis et al., Apr 2024, preprint, 1 author.
