Paxlovid™: A Treatment Option for COVID-19

Paxlovid™

Paxlovid™ may help patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. If you are eligible to receive Paxlovid, you can receive it when you have a doctor's prescription.

Paxlovid is not a substitute for the COVID-19 vaccine. It is not authorized to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent COVID-19 is by getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Paxlovid is available as a COVID-19 treatment when a patient meets criteria, including:

• You must be 12 years old or older AND
• Presenting within 5 days of symptom onset AND
• Have a risk factor for progression to severe disease AND
• Current diagnosis of Covid-19 with mild to moderate symptoms, defined as:
  • Positive SARS-CoV-2 antigen or PCR test OR
  • Unable to obtain PCR test AND symptomatic following exposure to person with test-confirmed Covid-19

Taking Paxlovid when not indicated may put a patient at risk for side effects, possible drug-drug interactions, health care costs, and does not treat an underlying condition if it is not COVID-19.

COVID-19 Treatment: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a COVID-19 vaccine if I have had treatment?

If you received Paxlovid for treatment of COVID-19, you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are clinically well (recovered). Contact your doctor to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Can you receive Paxlovid if you already received the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. If you get COVID-19 and meet criteria for Paxlovid, you can receive it.

What happened to monoclonal antibodies treatment for COVID-19?

UPMC does not offer monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19. Monoclonal antibody treatments previously available are no longer effective against the variants that are currently in our community.

There is a monoclonal antibody – pemivibart (PemgardaTM) – that is available for the prevention of COVID-19 in patients age 12 years and older who have a severe immune compromising condition. It is administered as an infusion, up to every 3 months, and is available at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. Insurance authorization is required prior to treatment. Talk to your doctor if you are interested in this COVID-19 prevention treatment.

What other treatments are available for COVID-19?

For patients who are unable to receive Paxlovid, two other antiviral drugs are available to treat mild-to-moderate COVIID-19 disease: molnupiravir (LagevrioTM) and remdesivir (VekluryTM). These drugs are not available for all patients or in all locations. If you have a medical condition that puts you at risk of severe COVID-19, talk to your doctor about potential treatments.