COVID-19 Treatment and Therapeutics

If you have:

• Mild to moderate symptoms
• Your symptoms began within the past few days (no longer than five days)
• You are at risk of getting very sick from COVID

Call your doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible to discuss treatment options. If you do not have a doctor, pharmacists can now prescribe antiviral treatment if you test positive for COVID. To be effective, oral antiviral therapies must be taken within five days of symptom onset.

If you do not have a provider or health insurance, you can find a place to get treatment using the ASPR COVID-19 Therapeutics Locator or CDPHE’s therapeutics provider map.

Steps for Getting COVID Therapeutics

Step 1: Get Tested

Get tested for COVID-19 on-site, or bring your test results from an at-home test to your visit.

The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is available to assist people with disabilities in accessing services.

Step 2: Get a prescription

If you test positive for COVID-19, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist as soon as possible for a prescription for an oral antiviral treatment. Treatments must be started within five days of symptom onset to be most effective. Bring any medications (or a list of the medicines you currently take) to your appointment. If you are eligible, your healthcare provider will prescribe an oral antiviral.

Step 3: Fill the prescription

Once you have a prescription for an oral antiviral, please take it to a pharmacy to be filled. Call the pharmacy in advance to be sure they have the treatment in stock.

Step 4: Begin Treatment

Once your prescription has been filled, follow the treatment instructions provided by your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

Types of COVID Treatments

There are currently two primary COVID-19 treatments: Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Both are antiviral oral therapeutics that can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization when taken within five days of the first COVID-19 symptoms.

Paxlovid

• Paxlovid is a pill for people who have mild or moderate COVID-19 symptoms and are at high risk of getting very sick. It is available by prescription only for people age 12 or older who weigh at least 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds).
• People who are eligible for Paxlovid should receive it as soon as possible after they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, starting within five days of their first symptoms.

Molnupiravir

• Molnupiravir is a medication for people who have tested positive for COVID-19, are at high risk of getting very sick, and cannot receive other COVID-19 treatments. It is available by prescription only for adults 18 years and older.
• People eligible for Molnupiravir should receive it as soon as possible after they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, starting within five days of their first symptoms.
• Pregnant people should not take Molnupiravir. People who may become pregnant should use effective birth control while they are receiving the treatment and for four days after their last dose.
• Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Molnupiravir. Talk to your healthcare provider more if you have any questions.

Healthcare providers can prescribe antiviral therapeutics to individuals at high risk for COVID-19. Patients with chronic health conditions should consult their healthcare provider or visit this page to determine if they may be eligible for treatment.

COVID-19 antiviral treatments might be for you if you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19

Can I get oral antivirals through my regular healthcare provider?

Yes. Qualified healthcare providers can continue to prescribe oral antivirals to eligible patients at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19, including those seen via telehealth.

Is there a cost to get the treatment?

Qualifying patients can receive testing and oral antivirals at no cost. Inquire with the pharmacy filling your prescription to see if there is a charge for dispensing the medication for you.

Can I use a rapid home test and qualify for treatment?

Yes, if you are eligible, you can bring your positive test to your medical provider, who can prescribe an oral antiviral.

Are pharmacists themselves able to prescribe the oral antiviral pills?

Yes, pharmacists are now able to prescribe Paxlovid.

What if I don’t have a healthcare provider, or I am uninsured?

Please refer to the Test to Treat information below.

Test to Treat Initiative

The nationwide Test to Treat initiative was launched in March 2022 to provide people with a way to access oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19. Through the program, people can get tested and—if they are positive and treatments are appropriate for them—receive a prescription from a healthcare provider and have their prescription filled all at one location.

• A call center is available at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY: 1-888-720-7489) to receive help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages – 8 a.m. – midnight ET, 7 days a week.
• The Disability Information and Access Line(DIAL) is also available to specifically help people with disabilities access services. For assistance, please call 1-888-677-1199, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET, or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.