The antiviral drug ensitrelvir eases both smell and taste loss, and is one of the few COVID-19 drugs available to people not at high risk of grave illness.

New clinical-trial data suggest that an antiviral pill called ensitrelvir shortens the duration of two unpleasant symptoms of COVID-19: loss of smell and taste. The medication is among the first to alleviate these effects and, unlike other COVID-19 treatments, is not reserved only for people at high risk of severe illness.

  • Birdie@thelemmy.club
    15·
    1 year ago

    I lost smell and taste after I had Covid in late Feb/early March of 2020. Nothing at all for a couple of months, then parosmia for about 18 months. Back to total loss of smell and taste again, but within the last couple of months I can smell really strong smells, like creosote; also a little touch of parosmia (poop smells like chicken noodle soup, ffs).

    Losing 2 of the 5 senses is an incredible loss. I almost feel like it’s having a devastating effect on my brain.

    I cannot wait to regain those senses. I’ve tried so many things, and I’ll try this too when I can have access to it.

    • AFK BRB Chocolate@lemmy.worldEnglish
      7·
      1 year ago

      My wife lost hers for a short time, and it was completely soul crushing for her. It’s easy to take for granted how much joy we take from delicious food, and what it’s like if everything tastes like nothing or worse. My wife loves Reese’s peanut butter cups, but she said it was like having a wad of shortening in her mouth - the only thing she could taste was the oil.

      I feel for you - I hope it comes back. Some people say that the smell training really does work, at least somewhat.

      • Birdie@thelemmy.club
        3·
        1 year ago

        A wad of shortening in my mouth, that is exactly what Reese’s taste like to me. Tell your wife I’ve got my fingers crossed for her.

        • AFK BRB Chocolate@lemmy.worldEnglish
          3·
          1 year ago

          Thanks - like I said, hers was only gone for a short time, like maybe 4 days. Long enough that she was contemplating like without it, but luckily it slowly ramped back up over a couple days.

          So we’ll cross ours for you!