Do any drugs prevent or treat COVID-19?

Answer:

There are currently no FDA authorized or approved drugs for post-exposure prevention of COVID-19.

Two drugs — Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir) and remdesivir (Veklury) — are the preferred treatments for eligible adults and children with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for progression to severe disease. One of these treatments is also strongly recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and might also reduce the risk of long COVID. Among people who are unable to receive these preferred treatments, Lagevrio (molnupiravir) is an alternative therapy for authorized for eligible individuals.

Due to changes in strains of the virus that cause COVID-19, four monoclonal antibody therapies — REGEN-COV (casirivimab plus imdevimab), bamlanivimab plus etesevimab, sotrovimab, and bebtelovimab — previously FDA-authorized for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 and (for REGEN-COV and bamlanivimab plus etesevimab) to help prevent infection in people exposed to someone with COVID-19 are no longer authorized for use in any U.S. state. Similarly, EVUSHELD (tixagevimab with cilgavimab), which had been authorized for the pre-exposure prevention of COVID-19 in certain adults and children with moderate to severe immune compromise, is not currently authorized for use in the U.S.

Sign in as a member for more information about these drugs, including who can receive these treatments, when the treatments should be initiated to be effective, which of these treatments appear to be effective against Omicron variants in certain age groups, details about COVID-19 "rebound" after Paxlovid treatment, and what steps should be taken by people who experience rebound. Also find out how to locate in your area a "test to treat" pharmacy that can test people for COVID-19 and treat those who test positive.

ConsumerLab will update this article when and if other post-exposure prophylaxis treatments become available.