Sorry I was confusing it with Merck's molnupiravir which could potentially cause genetic errors in humans. The drug this article is about is unlikely to have side effects that appear later.

Because of its mechanism of action, which is to induce massive and deadly mutation and reproductive issues on the virus. Normally this should not have an effect on our bodies, but it's not impossible that it does lead to higher cancer rates.

> but it's not impossible that it does lead to higher cancer rates.

That is almost a non-statement that could be seemingly applied to anything with some pharmacological effect. I think you and I and every other layman are talking out of their ass when we make some kind of determination as to any side effects Paxlovid might have.

It's not a non-statement, such effects are a serious concern for nucleoside analogs. But I can't say it's an actual issue or that it's definitely not because we just don't have sufficient data.

You're correct that almost anything with a pharmacological effect has such concerns, which diminish with time. That's why prevention is superior to treatment.

Also I wasn't talking about Paxlovid, but molnupiravir, which you'd also be taking.

I don't know enough about the difference between how viral RNA polymerase and human RNA polymerase function, but my hunch is the nucleotide substitution might not apply to us. This could be wrong.

That's the hunch these drugs are based upon. But things in biochemistry are rarely black and white. There are people with serious experience in the field saying that there is a risk.

Certainly the risk is lower than untreated covid, but it's just that if you can avoid the risk then all the better.