There are treatments that may help reduce how sick you become if you get COVID‑19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized treatments that have already been taken by millions of people, reducing many people’s COVID‑19 symptoms and keeping them out of the hospital.
If you have
mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms (non-hospitalized, not requiring oxygen or an increase in home oxygen) you may be eligible for antiviral treatments including oral antivirals or an IV (intravenous or in your arm) antiviral.
Learn more about COVID‑19 therapies:
| Therapeutic |
Type of treatment |
Start time after symptoms first appear |
| Paxlovid |
Oral antiviral (pills) |
As soon as possible and up to
5 days |
| Lagevrio (molnupiravir) |
Oral antiviral (pills) |
As soon as possible and up to
5 days |
| Veklury® (remdesivir) |
IV infusion antiviral |
As soon as possible and up to
7 days |
- If you have
COVID-19 symptoms, take an at-home test or get tested.
- If you
test positive for COVID‑19, you may be eligible for medication to help you recover.
-
Act fast—you should start taking the medication as soon as possible and within the treatment window after you have your first symptoms.
-
Need help now? Learn more about the Test to Treat initiative.
Test to Treat
Oral Antivirals: Paxlovid and Lagevrio (Molnupiravir)
Treat COVID‑19 from the comfort of your home.
WHAT are oral antivirals?
Oral antivirals are pills that stop the virus that causes COVID-19 from making copies of itself in your body. One oral antiviral is called Paxlovid, and the other is called Lagevrio (also known as molnupiravir).
WHO is eligible to use oral antivirals?
-
Paxlovid: Adults and children (12 years of age and older, weighing at least 88 pounds [40 kg]), who are at
high risk for getting very sick from COVID-19 and who have
mild to moderate symptoms.
-
Lagevrio: Adults 18 years and older who are at
high risk for getting very sick from COVID-19 and who do not have access to other COVID-19 outpatient treatment options, or other treatment options are not appropriate for them and who have
mild to moderate symptoms.
WHEN do you have to use oral antivirals?
If you are eligible, start using oral antivirals as soon as possible —no later than 5 days after your first symptoms appear. These pills are taken at home two times a day for 5 days.
HOW do you get oral antivirals?
Oral antivirals are available with a prescription from a health care provider and through the
Test to Treat program. Paxlovid may also be prescribed by a state-licensed pharmacist.
- Will Paxlovid interact with any other medicines I’m taking?
- Do I need to worry about my renal impairment?
- Do I need to worry about my hepatic impairment?
- Will taking an oral antiviral affect my birth control?
- I am pregnant or breast feeding, is it okay to take an oral antiviral?
IV Antiviral: Veklury (Remdesivir)
Veklury fights the coronavirus and can help you recover.
WHAT is Veklury?
Veklury is a COVID-19 treatment given intravenously (by IV or drip). Like oral antivirals, Veklury helps stop the virus that causes COVID-19 from making copies of itself in your body.
WHO is eligible to receive Veklury?
- Adults 18 and over
- Children who are 28 days of age or older and weigh at least 7 pounds (3 kg)
AND who:
- Have
mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19
- Are at
high risk for getting very sick from COVID-19
- Are outpatients (not staying in the hospital) or inpatients (staying in the hospital)
WHEN do you use Veklury?
Veklury should be given as soon as possible—no later than 7 days after your first symptoms appear.
HOW do you get Veklury?
Veklury requires a prescription. The treatment is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion once a day for 3 days.
- Will Veklury interact with any other medicines I’m taking?
- Do I need to worry about my renal impairment?
- Do I need to worry about my hepatic impairment?
