What are COVID antivirals? Do COVID-19 drugs work?

What are antivirals?

Antivirals are a class of drugs that help the body fight certain viruses that can cause disease. They can help prevent severe symptoms and lower the rate of transmission.

COVID antivirals are being developed around the world in a bid to combat the effects of COVID. COVID antivirals are antiviral treatments that can be taken as capsules or tablets which may help stop a COVID-19 infection from becoming severe. Courses of these antiviral treatments need to be started as soon as possible after symptoms from COVID-19 begin.

COVID antiviral treatments target specific parts of the virus to stop it from multiplying in the body, helping prevent severe illness and death.

Antivirals to treat COVID-19 must be prescribed by a healthcare provider and started as soon as possible after diagnosis to be effective. Contact your healthcare provider right away to determine if you are eligible for treatment, even if your symptoms are mild right now.

Some Pharmacy experts suggest looking to New Zealand where COVID antivirals are available without a prescription. There has been a huge success reducing the severity of COVID-19 and suggests the medications can help reduce the risk of long COVID.

Prescription Antiviral COVID-19 Drugs in USA;

There is currently only one COVID-19 antiviral approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). But there are many medications being tested.

• Remdesivir (Veklury) - helps treat COVID-19 in adults and children 12 and older. Remdesivir may be prescribed for those hospitalized with COVID-19 and need supplemental oxygen or have higher risk of serious illness. This COVID-19 antiviral is given through needle in the skin (intravenously).

COVID-19 Antiviral Drugs authorized for emergency use;

There drugs are currently authorized for emergency use that helps treat COVID-19 for those that have a higher risk of serious illness.

• Paxlovid - combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Nirmatelvir blocks the activity of a specific enzyme needed for the virus that causes COVID-19 to replicate. Ritonavir helps slow the breakdown of nirmatrelvir. Paxlovid is used to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people aged 12 and older who have a higher risk of serious illness. These medications are taken by mouth as pills.

• Molnupiravir - treats mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at higher risk of serious illness who are unable to take other treatments. The medication is taken by mouth as a pill.

• Baricitinib (Olumiant) - Baricitinib is a rheumatoid arthritis pill that works against COVID-19 by reducing inflammation and having antiviral activity. Baricitinib may be used in people who are hospitalised with COVID-19 and who are on mechanical ventilators or need supplemental oxygen.

Researchers are studying other potential treatments for COVID-19 including;

• Antiviral drugs. Researchers are testing the antiviral drugs favipiravir and merimepodib. Studies have found that the combination of lopinavir and ritonavir isn’t effective.

• Anti-inflammatory therapy. Researchers study many anti-inflammatory drugs to treat or prevent dysfunction of several organs and lung injury from infection-associated inflammation.

• Immune-based therapy. Researchers study immune-based therapies, including convalescent plasma, mensenchymal stem cells and monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins created in a lab that can help the immune system fight off viruses.

• Drugs to prevent COVID-19. Researchers are studying drugs to prevent COVID-19 before and after exposure to the virus.

Who should not have antiviral COVID-19 treatments?

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding you should not have oral COVID-19 treatments. Instead, make sure you’re up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.

If you have a severe kidney or liver disease you should not have COVID-19 antiviral treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider about alternative treatments.

Remember, don’t try any medications without a prescription and your health care provider’s approval. These drugs can have serious side effects. They’re reserved for people who are seriously ill and under care of a health care provider.

References:
1. DeSimone, M.D. Daniel C. . “COVID-19 drugs: Are there any that work?” Mayoclinic, 11 June. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/coronavirus-drugs/faq-20485627
2. “COVID-19 Treatments and Medications” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5 August, 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/treatments-for-severe-illness.html
3 Clark, Emily. “New Zealand allowed pharmacists to dispense COVID-19 antivirals and ‘everyone realised it was a win'“, ABC News, 6 August, 2022, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-06/covid-antiviral-treatments-nz-does-not-require-prescription/101290888