What medications can I take to relieve the symptoms of COVID-19?
Paxlovid and molnupiravir have been shown to decrease the duration of symptoms in COVID-19 patients. They are oral antiviral pills that can be taken home if you are confirmed to be COVID-19 positive via testing. Book an appointment with one of our board-certified physicians today if you're experiencing symptoms of COVID to see if you qualify for medication.
Can I take azithromycin for COVID?
No, you cannot take a Z-pack (azithromycin) for COVID-19. Since azithromycin is an antibiotic, it only works on bacterial infections. Since COVID-19 is a viral infection, it can only be treated with antiviral medications, like Paxlovid and Lagevrio.
How long does it take for COVID medications to work?
The time it takes for COVID medications to work can vary depending on the specific medication, the stage and severity of the disease, and the individual's overall health. Clinical trials have suggested that molnupiravir and Paxlovid can start to work within a few days of starting treatment.
Remdesivir is an intravenous infusion given in select outpatient infusion centers or hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. Clinical trials have shown that patients who received remdesivir had a median recovery time of 10 days, compared to 15 days for those who received a placebo.
It's important to note that the effectiveness of these medications can vary depending on several factors, including the timing of treatment and the severity of the disease.
Can vaccinated individuals get the COVID-19 pill?
Yes, anyone with mild to moderate COVID symptoms can take the COVID-19 pill within the first five days of symptom onset to reduce the severity of symptoms. Your doctor will ask to see your COVID-19 test results before prescribing the COVID-19 pill.
Can I use the COVID-19 pill instead of getting vaccinated?
The COVID-19 pill is not a substitute for getting vaccinated. Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to protect yourself from severe COVID-19 illnesses.
Is there an antiviral treatment for COVID-19?
Before December 2021, only one antiviral for COVID-19 was approved by the FDA, which is the antiviral drug remdesivir. Remdesivir is typically only given to COVID-19 patients intravenously in a hospital setting.
However, two pharmaceutical companies have developed oral medications to treat COVID-19 in outpatients. The Pfizer COVID pill, with the brand name Paxlovid, is taken with another antiviral, ritonavir, after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Merck also received FDA approval for an antiviral drug, molnupiravir, an oral pill that can be taken shortly after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
The release of both new COVID pills could help keep patients out of the hospital, as the medications can be taken at home.
What were the results of the COVID-19 pill clinical trials?
In Merck’s Phase 3 clinical trial for molnupiravir, 775 high-risk, unvaccinated adults with mild to moderate COVID symptoms were evaluated. Only 7.3% of patients taking the antiviral for COVID were hospitalized or died after 30 days, compared to 14.1% of patients who did not receive molnupiravir.
In Pfizer’s Phase 2 trial of Paxlovid, they evaluated 1219 high-risk, unvaccinated adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms. Paxlovid shows promise, as it was found to reduce the risk of death or hospitalization by 89%. Only 0.8% of patients who took the COVID-19 pill were hospitalized or died after 28 days, compared to 7% of patients who did not receive Paxlovid. According to these results, Paxlovid seems more effective than molnupiravir in studies conducted in 2021-2022. Experts continue to recommend that everyone get vaccinated against COVID-19. The benefits are felt to be additive, meaning that the vaccine, combined with the antiviral treatment, would produce even greater protection against severe COVID-19 symptoms, especially in high-risk patients.
