In his State of the Union address on March 1, 2022, President Biden unveiled a new “test to treat” COVID-19 plan, which he hopes this plan will help the country regain some semblance of normalcy. In this plan, people will be able to get tested, and – if they are positive and treatments are appropriate for them – receive a prescription from a qualified health care provider, and have their prescription filled the local pharmacies.
In this blog post, we examine antivirus COVID medications and what consumers should be aware of.
PAXLOVID by Pfizer
The FDA has authorized the emergency use of PAXLOVID, an investigational medicine, for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and children (12 and up) with a positive test for the virus that causes COVID-19, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19 , including hospitalization or death, under an EUA.
PAXLOVID is investigational because it is still being studied. There is limited information about the safety and effectiveness of using PAXLOVID to treat people with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.
LIMITATIONS OF AUTHORIZED USE
- PAXLOVID is not authorized for initiation of treatment in patients requiring hospitalization due to severe or critical COVID-19.
- PAXLOVID is not authorized for pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID-19.
- PAXLOVID is not authorized for use longer than 5 consecutive days.
PAXLOVID is not authorized for initiation of treatment in patients requiring hospitalization due to severe or critical COVID-19. PAXLOVID is not authorized for pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID-19. PAXLOVID is not authorized for use longer than 5 consecutive days.
Molnupiravir by Merck
The FDA has issued an EUA for the emergency use of the unapproved molnupiravir, a nucleoside analogue that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication by viral mutagenesis for the treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) in adults with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death, and for whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options approved or authorized by FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate. Molnupiravir is not FDA-approved for any use including for use for the treatment of COVID-19. Prior to initiating treatment with molnupiravir, carefully consider the known and potential risks and benefits.
LIMITATIONS OF AUTHORIZED USE
- Molnupiravir is not authorized – for use in patients less than 18 years of age
- for initiation of treatment in patients requiring hospitalization due to COVID-19. Benefit of treatment with molnupiravir has not been observed in subjects when treatment was initiated after hospitalization due to COVID-19. (2.1)
- for use for longer than 5 consecutive days.
- for pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID-19.
If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 and meet the criteria above, call your doctor as soon as possible to discuss whether this treatment may be right for you.
For antiviral pills to be most effective, they need to be taken as early in the disease course as possible and within five days of symptom onset. The sooner the better — even if you’re not feeling symptoms yet.
As with most medications, there are side effects to taking these oral antivirals for COVID-19.
They also have the potential to interfere with other drugs and impact other health conditions, so be sure to discuss the medications you’re taking and preexisting health conditions you have with your doctor.
As always, myDoc Urgent Care is here for you whether for COVID 19 or other healthcare needs. Give us a call with any questions. Be safe.
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