The Lancet. Infectious diseasesJul 16, 2026

Nirmatrelvir for treating early COVID-19 to reduce long COVID risk in Norway: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Updated Jul 17, 2026

Abstract

Antiviral treatment of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir may reduce the risk of long COVID.

Long-term symptoms following acute COVID-19 are prevalent, especially fatigue, cognitive issues, and shortness of breath.
Cohort studies indicate that antiviral treatment might prevent post-COVID-19 condition.
The effectiveness of antivirals in preventing long COVID has not been confirmed in prospective studies.

Simplified

Long-term symptoms are common after acute COVID-19, particularly fatigue, cognitive problems, and dyspnoea. Cohort studies have suggested that antiviral treatment of acute COVID-19 might prevent development of post-COVID-19 condition (also known as long COVID), but the efficacy of antivirals has yet to be verified in prospective studies. We aimed to investigate whether treatment of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir would reduce the risk of long COVID.

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Funding

Competing interests

Declaration of interests RJC is the International Society for Respiratory Viruses Director/Trustee and Deputy Chair in Norway and a member of European Medicines Agency Scientific Advisory Group on Vaccines and Therapies for Infectious Diseases. All other authors declare no competing interests.

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Nirmatrelvir for treating early COVID-19 to reduce long COVID risk in Norway: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Full Text

Funding

Competing interests

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