Medications for treating COVID-19
There is no cure for COVID-19 but several medicines have been developed that are proving to be effective treatments for people with the illness. The following medications are not meant to be used as a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19.
What are COVID-19 treatments?
COVID-19 treatments help stop someone from becoming very sick with COVID-19. Not everyone diagnosed with COVID-19 will need these treatments. They are of most benefit to people who are at the most risk of severe disease or people who are in hospital with severe disease.
Some COVID-19 treatments can be prescribed by your doctor and taken at home. Other treatments can only be administered to patients who are in hospital.
More COVID-19 medicines are undergoing clinical trials and the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s vigorous approval process. For up to date information on recommended treatments and the latest clinical guidelines visit the COVID-19 – National Clinical Evidence Taskforce
What oral COVID-19 antiviral medicines can people take at home?
People with COVID-19 who don’t need oxygen and are not in hospital may be eligible for either Lagevrio or Paxlovid if they meet certain criteria. Lagevrio and Paxlovid are oral COVID-19 antiviral medicines (taken by mouth) that help to stop the COVID-19 infection from becoming severe and making you very sick.
Lagevrio and Paxlovid can be prescribed by your doctor or nurse practitioner. You need to start taking these medicines as soon as possible after symptoms of COVID-19 began for them to be effective. It is best to start taking them within 5 days after your symptoms start.
Who can have oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine?
You may be eligible for an oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine if you:
- are 18 years and older, and
- have COVID-19, and
- are at higher risk of becoming very sick
Who is eligible for COVID-19 oral antivirals or other treatments?
Some antiviral COVID-19 treatments are only available in hospital to certain patients at severe risk from COVID-19. However, the oral antiviral treatments Paxlovid and Lagevrio are available outside of hospital under certain conditions.
How do I get oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine?
If you test positive to COVID-19 using either a PCR test or rapid antigen test (RAT), book a telehealth appointment with your doctor. They will advise whether you can have an oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine.
If your doctor recommends that you take an oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine, you will need a prescription.
Your doctor can send the pharmacist your prescription electronically. This way, a friend or family member can collect the medication for you. It can also be delivered to your home.
If cannot reach your doctor or a GP respiratory clinic, you can call a medical deputising service. These services can offer you telehealth appointments while you stay at home recovering from COVID-19.
Can I access oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine if I do not have a Medicare card?
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and have high risk factors for severe illness, but do not have a Medicare card, you should contact your doctor or a General Practice Respiratory Clinic for advice about treatment options.
Who shouldn’t have oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not have oral COVID-19 medicine. Instead, make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.
These medicines can also affect how birth control works.
Talk to your healthcare provider about contraception and if you are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you have severe kidney or liver disease, you should not have Paxlovid COVID-19 treatment. Talk to your doctor about alternative oral treatments.
Paxlovid must not be taken with several other commonly used medicines. The full list of medicines that must not be taken with Paxlovid are in the product information.
Doctors will need to carefully review an eligible person’s current medications and medical conditions to see if it is safe for them to take oral COVID-19 medicine.
Will I need antibiotics for COVID-19?
No, because antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Antibiotics are designed to treat bacterial infections. Unnecessary use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, which is a serious healthcare problem that affects everyone.
Some people may develop secondary bacterial infections due to the COVID-19 virus, such as bacterial pneumonia. In this situation, antibiotics may be needed.