COVID-19 antiviral medicines – your questions answered (2024)

Antiviral medicines help stop a virus infecting healthy cells or multiplying in the body.

There are antiviral medicines available that work against COVID-19 and they work best when taken as soon as possible.

COVID-19 antiviral medicines do not work against other viruses like influenza (flu). There are different antivirals for the flu.

Some people are eligible to get antiviral medicines. You can read more information below about who is eligible.

Antiviral medicines target the virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 to prevent it infecting healthy cells in your body and multiplying. This helps stop the spread of the virus inside your body and helps your immune system to fight off the infection.

By reducing how severe the illness is, you are less likely to:

• go to hospital
• develop breathing difficulties
• need assistance with oxygen or intensive care treatment, or
• die from COVID-19.

Antiviral medicines are not a substitute for vaccination. Vaccination is still the best protection against COVID-19.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved 2 oral antiviral medicines for COVID-19 in Australia. Both are available in NSW.

They are:

• Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir + ritonavir)
• Lagevrio® (molnupiravir).

Talk to your doctor now so you know:

• which COVID-19 test you should do if you get sick
• if you are eligible to get antiviral medicines
• how to get antiviral medicines if you get sick.

Your doctor can fill out an action plan and you can discuss which treatment best suits you:

• Pre-assessment action plan for respiratory infections
• Pre-assessment action plan for respiratory infections in aged care facility resident

If you are eligible for antiviral medicines and you test positive for COVID-19, your doctor will still need to give you a prescription. Knowing which antiviral medicine is right for you will help you access it more quickly and easily.

You can only be prescribed antiviral medicines by a doctor if you:

• test positive to COVID-19 through a PCR (nose and throat swab) or rapid antigen test (RAT), and
• meet the eligibility criteria below.

You may be eligible to receive antiviral medicines if you test positive to COVID-19 and are:

• 70 years of age or older
• 50 to 69 years of age with2 additional risk factors for severe illness
• an Aboriginal person, 30 to 69 years of age with 1 additional risk factor for severe illness
• 18 years of age or older and are moderately to severely immunocompromised, or have previously been hospitalised from COVID-19.

Risk factors include:

• living in residential aged care
• living with disability with multiple conditions and/or frailty (but not limited to living in supported accommodation)
• neurological conditions like stroke or dementia and demyelinating conditions e.g., multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome
• chronic respiratory conditions including COPD, moderate or severe asthma
• obesity or diabetes (type I or II requiring medication)
• heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies
• kidney failure or liver cirrhosis
• living remotely with reduced access to higher level healthcare.

Find out more about risk factors and your eligibility for antiviral medicines on the Department of Health website.

You may still be able to get antiviral medicines if you are at higher risk of severe illness and test positive to COVID-19 but do not meet the eligibility criteria.

Speak to your doctor to find out if you are eligible.

1. Call your doctorstraight away and tell them you have tested positive to COVID-19 to discuss antiviral medicines (usually viatelehealth). Antiviral medicines work best if taken as soon as possible, and within 5 days from when your symptoms start.
2. If your doctor says you are eligible for antiviral medicines, they will send you a prescription (online or paper copy).
3. It's recommended you ask your pharmacy to arrange home delivery for your medication or ask someone to collect it on your behalf.

If you are unwell and can’t get in touch with your doctor, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or use the online Service Finder to find one near you.

If your symptoms become severe, call Triple Zero (000) straight away and tell them you have COVID-19.

Why can't everyone access antiviral medicines?

Antiviral medicines can only be used in the early stages of infection and are not suitable for everyone. Most people can manage COVID-19 safely at home without needing antiviral medicines. Antiviral medicines may help people who are at higher risk of developing severe illness, depending on their circ*mstances.

COVID-19 antiviral medicines work best if taken as soon as possible, and within 5 days from when your symptoms start.

Most people who are eligible will be prescribed oral antiviral medicines, which come in tablet or capsule form to be taken by mouth. This means you can take these medicines at home and don’t need to go to hospital for treatment.

There are other treatment options available including antiviral injections. Your doctor will let you know the best treatment option for you.

All medicines can potentially have side effects but most will disappear with time or when you stop treatment.

You can have different side effects from antiviral medicines based on which medicine your doctor has prescribed for you. Themedicine information sheetsdiscuss side effects:

• Lagevrio® (molnupiravir)
• Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir + ritonavir)

Your doctor will tell you if they are safe for you to use.

Some people should not take any COVID-19 antiviral medicines. Some people can only take 1 type of antiviral medicine and not the other. Your doctor can tell you if antiviral medicines are not suitable for you.

The medicine information sheets also provide further information:

• Lagevrio® (molnupiravir)
• Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir + ritonavir)

Oral antiviral medicines, Lagevrio® and Paxlovid® are available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia and are subsidised for people with a Medicare card.

Visit the Department of Health website for the latest information on costs.

You can still access antiviral medicines if you do not have a Medicare card, but the cost for treatment will vary depending on your circ*mstances. Speak to your doctor for more information.

COVID-19 symptoms can come back again shortly after:

• you finish your antiviral medicine, or
• your original symptoms have gone.

This is called ‘COVID-19 rebound’. It is uncommon but can happen between 2 and 8 days later.

You can experience COVID-19 rebound if you have not taken any antiviral medicines.

If your symptoms come back, you should:

• stay home, and
• follow the advice for Testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home.

If you are worried about your symptoms, speak to your doctor or call healthdirect for free on 1800 022 222 (available 24/7) to speak to a registered nurse.