Patients with a test-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis experiencing symptoms may be eligible for an outpatient treatment option at MU Health Care, based on when symptoms started.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued emergency use authorization for two oral medications, Paxlovid and molnupiravir, and two infusion therapies, sotrovimab and remdesivir.
MU Health officials said these treatments are only effective if given within a certain number of days after symptoms begin. Paxlovid and molnupiravir must be taken within five days of symptom onset, remdesivir within seven days and sotrovimab within 10 days.
MU Health Care has a limited supply of the medications and is following National Institutes of Health Treatment Guidelines to determine patient eligibility and to prioritize treatment. Patients currently eligible for outpatient treatments include:
• Immunocompromised individuals
• Those who are unvaccinated and age 65 or older
• Unvaccinated individuals younger than 65 with other clinical risk factors
Patients who are experiencing symptoms and may meet eligibility requirements should contact their primary care provider.
For more information about outpatient antiviral treatment availability and eligibility, visit muhealth.org/conditions-treatment/coronavirus/covid-19-treatments.