These findings counter clinical trial results published in June which found that Paxlovid was safe to take but did not lessen long COVID symptoms, the UCSF researchers noted. Those earlier trial results, based on data from 155 patients, appeared in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

A small study published Monday found that the COVID-19 antiviral treatment Paxlovid may have use as a treatment for long COVID when administered outside of an infection. Administration of Paxlovid during a SARS-CoV-2 infection has previously been linked to a lower risk of developing long COVID symptoms.

Extended courses of Paxlovid may alleviate symptoms in some patients with long Covid, though its effectiveness varies widely.

An up-close look at how patients respond to the drug at different times and doses adds nuance to a recent finding that Paxlovid does not work for long COVID.

A new study from UC San Francisco researchers indicates that an extended course of Paxlovid, an antiviral medication, may provide significant benefits for some patients suffering from long COVID symptoms,