Two New Medications that Fight COVID-19
Two oral medications treat high risk patients for COVID-19.
As the Omicron COVID-19 variant spreads across the U.S., the opportunity to fight the virus through antibodies has either been ineffective against the new variant or unavailable to patients due to small supply and large demand.
But the tide may be turning for the better. In late December 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued authorization for the first oral medication to be used in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19: Paxlovid. Just one day later, the FDA authorized another medication: Molnupiravir. This blog explains how both medications may be used to treat COVID-19.
What are these medications?
Pfizer’s Paxlovid combines two medications, Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir. The first medication prevents the virus from replicating in the body. The second medication helps the first medication stay in the body longer at higher concentrations to continue combatting the virus.
Molnupiravir, which also works to prevent the COVID-19 virus from reproducing in the body, is developed by a different pharmaceutical company named Merck. By reducing a patient’s viral load, the medication decreases the risk of medical complications from contracting COVID-19.
Healthcare providers would prescribe Paxlovid and Molnupiravir as tablets to be taken twice daily for five days.
Who is eligible?
Both medications are authorized for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in patients who are at risk for developing severe complications of the virus, including hospitalization and death. Those at high risk for severe COVID-19 include the elderly, immunocompromised, obese, as well as patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and chronic lung disease.
These medications should be prescribed within five days of noticing symptoms. As with other medications, there are a few eligibility exceptions. Paxlovid is not approved for patients twelve years old or younger, and Molnupiravir is not approved for anyone under the age of eighteen.
What are the risks?
Although the benefits are clear, Paxlovid may negatively interact with other drugs. It is therefore recommended that healthcare providers obtain a thorough medication and supplement history before prescribing these medications.
On the other hand, Molnupiravir has no known negative drug interactions. Molnupiravir also does not require a dose adjustment for patients with kidney or liver problems. The only potential side effect of Molnupriravir is a possible effect on bone and cartilage growth, which is why it is not prescribed to adolescents or teenagers.
Where do I get it?
“All right, how do I get my hands on Paxlovid or Molnupiravir?,” you may ask. After you obtain a prescription for oral antiviral therapy for COVID-19, you can take your prescription to an outpatient pharmacy. Unfortunately, supply for these medications is still low in some areas due to high demand and small allocations from state health departments.
Oral medications for COVID-19 are a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, visit Access Urgent Care for testing and discuss your therapy options with our emergency-trained providers. We offer little to no wait times and a large supply of rapid COVID tests. We’re here when you need care right away!
For More Information
Center for Disease Control, "Symptoms of Covid-19"
Center for Disease Control, "What to Know about the New Oral Antiviral Medications for Covid-19"
Federal Drug Administration, "Paxlovid Fact Sheet"
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Access Urgent Care is a locally owned, community-driven urgent care clinic in Lake Charles that provides affordable, accessible healthcare to a growing region. Their team of ER-trained, experienced providers are available seven days a week. No appointments are necessary and little to no wait time is always their priority.
