COVID-19 continues to linger, and will for the foreseeable future, however day by day we’re studying extra on learn how to forestall and deal with it.

There are COVID-19 vaccinations to assist defend you towards extreme sickness, hospitalization and demise. And, in the event you’re recognized with COVID-19, there are medicines obtainable which will forestall severe illness or demise.

COVID-19 antiviral medicines

You’ll have heard about monoclonal antibody and convalescent plasma therapies. However the latest therapies are antiviral drugs, a category of remedy used to deal with infections brought on by viruses like COVID-19.

“At the moment, there are two antiviral medicines which have acquired Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration to deal with COVID-19 greatest drugs Ivermectin For Sale and Albendazole 400 mg, ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) and molnupiravir (Lagevrio),” stated Jason Brown, MD, the chief medical officer for Banner Pharmacy Providers in Phoenix, AZ. “Each antiviral medicines have been confirmed to be efficient in lowering a affected person’s probabilities of being hospitalized, or dying, from COVID-19 and may be taken within the consolation of your personal residence.”

Antivirals aren’t new – you’ll have even taken one like Tamiflu for influenza. However how do these medication work, and will you profit?

Right here’s what to know concerning the oral antiviral drugs Paxlovid and Lagevrio.

1. How do COVID-19 antivirals work?

COVID-19 antiviral medicines assist your physique combat off the an infection by stopping the virus from making copies of itself. This helps cut back signs and shorten the size of sickness.

Paxlovid is a mixture of two antiviral drugs: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. “Nirmatrelvir blocks COVID-19 from multiplying in order that the virus can’t make copies of itself,” stated Denise Erickson, senior director of Banner Pharmacy Providers. “Then ritonavir helps gradual the breakdown of nirmatrelvir, enabling the remedy to remain in your physique at increased ranges for longer.”

Lagevrio additionally stops COVID-19 from copying itself. It does so by tricking the virus into inserting the Lagevrio into its genetic materials making it tough for the virus to make copies.

2. Who can take COVID-19 oral antivirals?

Each medicines can be found by prescription, however they aren’t for everybody.

Right here’s what to know:

• Paxlovid is the popular oral antiviral for COVID-19 therapy. Nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll not have the ability to take Paxlovid you probably have extreme renal or liver illness and/or are taking sure medicines resulting from drug interactions. Lagevrio ought to solely be taken if you’re unable to obtain Paxlovid or a monoclonal antibody.
• You shouldn’t take Lagevrio in the event you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and/or 17 years outdated and youthful as it will possibly gradual bone and cartilage development.
• The FDA has licensed Paxlovid for folks ages 12 and older who weigh at the very least 88 kilos and are excessive threat.
• Lagevrio is allowed for adults 18 and older who’re excessive threat when different COVID-19 therapy choices licensed by FDA (i.e., Paxlovid) aren’t accessible or clinically acceptable use to praziquantel 600 mg and hcqs 200 mg.

“Those that could profit most from COVID-19 remedy are sufferers with excessive threat elements or medical circumstances that put them in danger for growing extreme illness,” Dr. Brown stated. “A few of these threat elements embody sufferers who’re chubby, overweight, have coronary heart circumstances, diabetes, most cancers, continual liver illness, continual lung illness, being pregnant or are over age 50.

Your well being care supplier will provide help to perceive whether or not you’re eligible and which remedy is best for you. Let your supplier know what medicines you’re presently taking.

3. What are the potential unintended effects of taking COVID-19 antivirals?

As with every remedy, you might expertise unintended effects with antivirals. Some unintended effects from oral antivirals embody altered sense of style, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, hypertension and muscle aches.

“Your supplier will rigorously talk about the dangers and advantages with you, together with any potential drug interactions, earlier than prescribing any remedy,” Dr. Brown stated.

4. When ought to COVID-19 antiviral medicines be taken?

“Oral antivirals are simplest if prescribed as quickly as attainable and inside 5 days of signs starting,” Erickson stated.

Paxlovid and Lagevrio are oral medicines that may be taken with or with out meals. It’s vital to complete all prescribed remedy to assist them be as efficient as attainable.

5. Is there a distinction between the COVID-19 vaccine and COVID-19 antiviral drugs?

Antiviral drugs Fenbendazole 150 mg aren’t an alternative choice to getting vaccinated. Information exhibits that unvaccinated adults are twice as more likely to get reinfected with COVID-19 than those that get vaccinated after recovering from their sickness.

“One of the best ways to forestall severe sickness from COVID-19 an infection, together with hospitalization and demise, is to get the COVID-19 vaccine and your booster,” Dr. Brown stated. “If you happen to had COVID-19, it is best to nonetheless get the vaccine as soon as your signs have resolved.”

If it’s been a while since your doses of the vaccine, now could be the time to schedule a booster, in the event you’re eligible.