The number of antiviral medicines receiving approval for use in Australia for people with a COVID-19 infection is growing. Some are for use in people who are already in hospital, others can be prescribed to people still in the community who may be at risk of developing more severe symptoms.
Find out more about these and other medicines helping to treat COVID-19 in the pages, resources and links below.
Key points
- Two new oral antiviral medicines have recently been approved for use in Australia.
- An advantage of the oral antiviral medicines is that many people (at risk of progressing to severe disease) will be able to receive treatment for COVID-19 in their own homes, without the need to travel to hospital for treatment as an inpatient.
- Antiviral medicines (oral and IV) are not a substitute for vaccination and do not replace the need for vaccination.
- Not everyone diagnosed with COVID-19 will need an oral or IV antiviral medicine. These treatments will be of most benefit to people at greatest risk of progressing to severe disease, or who are in hospital with severe disease.
Podcast
In this episode, NPS MedicineWise medical advisor Dr Caroline West speaks with Prof Sarah Hilmer and Prof Josh Davis, members of the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce Guidelines Leadership Group. They give an update on the new antiviral treatments now available and answer some frequently asked COVID management questions.
See here for CPD details
Information about antiviral medicines for COVID-19
Using COVID-19 antiviral medicines where need is greatest
Oral and other antiviral medicines for the treatment of mild COVID-19 are available for treating Australians at high risk of disease progression. This includes in care facilities, health services and remote communities. These articles provide answers to questions prescribers and pharmacists may have when providing care in these settings.
FAQs: use of COVID-19 oral antiviral agents in residential aged care
COVID-19 oral antivirals and sotrovimab in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
Oral antivirals and sotrovimab for adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who do not require oxygen
At-a-glance information about the three medicines currently recommended for use in the treatment of non-hospitalised adults with mild–moderate COVID-19 infection, who do not require oxygen but are at risk of progressing to severe disease.
RADAR
The oral antivirals molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir are both listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for use in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of progressing to severe disease.
Other resources
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Webinar – Australian Government Department of Health : COVID-19 oral treatments update for aged care
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Department of Health: Oral treatments for COVID-19
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Factsheet – Department of Health: Use of Lagevrio (molnupiravir) in residential aged care
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Factsheet – Department of Health: Use of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) in residential aged care
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News – RACGP: What GPs need to know about the new COVID antivirals
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NPS MedicineWise: Antiviral medicines and COVID-19: a 2020 wrap up
