Do you qualify for oral COVID treatment? Here’s how to find out

Paxlovid is an oral antiviral for COVID that treats the disease quickly and prevents serious symptoms from occurring. Surprisingly, the government hasn’t done a good job of informing the public of its existence, leading to many people being unaware of it.

As COVID cases rise nationally, it’s important for people to be aware, especially when they’re at higher risk for complications. Here’s what you should know.

Paxlovid is made by Pfizer and is a combination of two compounds: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. One blocks a COVID enzyme that allows the virus to replicate, while the other blocks our own enzymes that would prevent it. These compounds are nothing new as they have been used in HIV drugs.

Photo by Annie Spratt via Unsplash

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One important thing to know about this drug is the fact that it must be taken within 5 days of the onset of symptoms. For it to work, people need to seek it out as soon as they think they have COVID.

According to the CDC, the drug is approved for a variety of people, all of whom must be at least 12 years old and weigh at least 88 pounds. More specifically, it is allowed for people with medical conditions like cancer, chronic diseases, diabetes, obesity, smokers and more.

It is an easily accessible drug, although it requires a prescription to be able to purchase it. The process of acquisition works differently by state, but some allow people to get a COVID test at a pharmacy and get their Paxlovid prescriptions right away, or even facilitate home delivery of the drug.

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Although Paxlovid is FDA approved and considered safe, there are some risks associated with it. It can interact with other medications, so it’s important to ask your doctor about possible drug interactions and their risks. Side effects are rare, but they include muscle pain, diarrhea, increased blood pressure, and more.