Therapeutics are preventative treatments that can help reduce the risk of severe illness or hospitalization for moderate to high-risk individuals who may be infected with COVID-19. COVID-19 therapeutics include monoclonal antibody treatments, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and oral antiviral treatments. If you think you qualify for these treatments, please speak to your healthcare provider as soon as possible to receive a referral. Referrals are required to access therapeutics.
Monoclonal Antibodies
Monoclonal Antibodies (mAb) are intended for those who are at high-risk of serious illness or hospitalization and have COVID-19 or have recently come into contact with someone who has COVID-19. Two mAb treatments are currently available depending on an individual’s medical history, age and other factors.
Monoclonal antibodies help by blocking the virus from entering the cells in a person’s body and lowering the viral load. The mAB treatments deliver the necessary antibodies to an individual’s immune system to help fight infection.
To view DOH’s mAb fact sheet, click here.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis PrEP
PrEP is an intravenous medication designed to help block viral attachment to human cells and prevent infection. PrEP is available to moderate-risk and immunocompromised individuals ages 12 and up who are not currently infected with COVID-19 and who are at least 88 pounds in weight (40 kg). PrEP helps defend the body from disease. Medical professionals do not recommend PrEP for people who have been vaccinated within the last two weeks.
To view DOH’s PrEP fact sheet, click here. This fact sheet is currently available in Arabic, Burmese, Chuukese, Dari, Farsi, French, German, Hindi, Hmong, Karen, Khmer, Lao, Marshallese, Nepali, Pashto, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Somali, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Tigrinya, Tongan, Ukrainian, Urdu.
Oral Antivirals
Antiviral medications reduce viral load, increase immunity, and reduce symptoms of an infection. Two oral antivirals are currently authorized under Emergency Use Authorization to treat mild to moderate outpatient cases of COVID-19. These antiviral treatments—Paxlovid and molnupiravir—must be taken within 5 days of symptoms starting and a person must have a confirmed COVID-19 infection to be prescribed. The NIH notes that, “Because viral replication may be particularly active early in the course of COVID-19, antiviral therapy may have the greatest impact before the illness progresses” and becomes more severe (NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines).
Patients with more serious COVID-19 symptoms may require more intensive care than an antiviral and should not rely on outpatient antivirals alone. Additionally, these antiviral drugs are not recommended for those who are pregnant.
For more information on antiviral therapies, visit the NIH’s COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines page here.
Test to Treat
In March, the Biden Administration launched the Test-to-Treat Initiative to ensure access to lifesaving COVID-19 treatments. At test-to-treat centers, individuals can access testing and any prescribed therapies in a single visit. To find a test-to-treat center near you, explore this interactive map provided by ASPR.
The best way to protect your health continues to be staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.