COVID medications available online

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 at 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.

The COVID-19 pill is only available with a prescription. If you are within five days of experiencing mild to moderate COVID symptoms, are confirmed to be COVID-19 positive via a PCR or rapid antigen test, and are deemed to be at high risk, one of our board-certified doctors can prescribe you the COVID-19 pills to take at home. To request the COVID-19 pill and find out if you qualify for a prescription, book an appointment with one of our trusted, board-certified doctors today.

Molnupiravir, Paxlovid, and remdesivir are three different antiviral drugs used to treat COVID-19, and they are taken in different ways. Here is a brief overview of how each of these drugs is taken:

• Molnupiravir (Lagevrio) is an oral medication that is taken twice daily with food for five days. It can be taken at home.

• Paxlovid is a combination of two drugs, nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, that are taken orally. The medication is taken twice daily for five days, and should be taken with food. It can also be taken at home.

• Remdesivir is an intravenous medication that is given to hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. The medication is given via IV infusion for five to ten days, depending on the severity of symptoms.

It's important to note that these drugs are not a cure for COVID-19, and their effectiveness can vary depending on the stage and severity of the disease. The specific instructions for taking these medications may vary depending on the advice of your doctor.

There are different types of COVID medications, and the specific reasons why someone should not take them may vary depending on the medication and the individual's medical history. However, here are some common reasons why someone should not take COVID medication:

• Allergy or intolerance

• Medication interactions: Some medications may interact with COVID antivirals, which can cause side effects or make the medications less effective. It's important to let your healthcare provider know about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, to avoid potential interactions.

• Medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, may affect how the medication is processed by the body. Individuals with heart conditions may be at risk of developing complications from taking COVID medication as well.

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Some COVID medication may not be safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It's important to let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking them.

• Age: Some medications may not be appropriate for certain age groups. For example, remdesivir, an antiviral medication given via IV, is only authorized for use in adults and children over 12 years of age who weigh at least 88 pounds.

The length of 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. In general, clinical trials have suggested that molnupiravir and Paxlovid can start to work within a few days of starting treatment.

Remdesivir is an intravenous medication that is given to hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 for five to ten days, depending on the severity of the disease. 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.

The specific instructions for COVID medications may vary depending on the medication and the advice of your doctor. However, here are some general guidelines to follow when taking COVID medications:

• Avoid alcohol: Alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of some medications and can also cause side effects. It's generally recommended to avoid alcohol when taking COVID medications.

• Follow food instructions: Some COVID medications may need to be taken with food or avoid certain foods.

• Follow storage instructions: COVID medications may have specific storage requirements, such as being kept in a refrigerator or avoiding exposure to light.

• Avoid medications with drug interactions: Some medications, such as high cholesterol medications, high blood pressure medications, migraine medications, antipsychotics, and erectile dysfunction medications can interact with COVID antivirals.

Yes, anyone with mild to moderate COVID symptoms can take the COVID-19 pill within the first five days of symptom onset, to reduce severity of symptoms. Your doctor will ask to see your COVID-19 test results, prior to prescribing the COVID-19 pill.

The COVID-19 pill is not a substitute for getting vaccinated. The most effective way to prevent COVID-19 and its spread is to get vaccinated. Although vaccinated individuals can still get COVID-19, the COVID-19 pill will have the best outcomes for vaccinated individuals.

Previously, there was only one antiviral for COVID approved by the FDA, which is the antiviral drug remdesivir. Remdesivir can only be 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 brand name Paxlovid, is taken in combination with another antiviral, ritonavir, after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. It also has the potential to be taken after known exposure to COVID-19.  Merck also received  FDA approval for a new 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.

Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics released results of their Phase 3 clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of their COVID-19 pill, molnupiravir. 775 adults were evaluated in the clinical trial, all of whom had mild to moderate COVID symptoms, were at high risk for severe disease, and were unvaccinated. Merck decided to conduct the trial in unvaccinated patients to determine how well the pill would prevent hospitalization and death.

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. An independent committee monitoring the trial found the results so hopeful that they recommended ending the trial early.

Pfizer announced the results of Phase 2 of a 3-phase clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of Paxlovid. They evaluated 1219 adults, all of whom had mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms, and who had at least one factor that put them at high risk for severe illness, and were unvaccinated.

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. The results of Pfizer’s trial were so promising, that the trial ended early. According to these results, Paxlovid seems to be more effective than molnupiravir. This data led the FDA to approve the use of Paxlovid under an Emergency Use Authorization.

Although the effectiveness of the drugs was only evaluated in unvaccinated patients, it is possible that vaccinated COVID-19 patients who are treated with the COVID-19 pill would experience even greater effectiveness. Experts continue to recommend that everyone get vaccinated against COVID-19. The benefits are felt to be additive, meaning that the vaccine in combination with the new antiviral treatment would produce even greater protection against severe COVID-19 symptoms, especially in patients who are at the highest risk of severe disease and death.