Outpatient Therapies for COVID-19

NOTIFICATION: **UPDATED 12/21/22** Antiviral therapeutics for the treatment of COVID-19, ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid™), remdesivir (Veklury®), and molnupiravir (Lagevrio™), retain activity against currently circulating Omicron sublineages. These medications can prevent severe disease, hospitalization, and death and are widely available but have been underused.

Oral antiviral medications may help reduce the risk of developing severe illness in high-risk patients with mild to moderate COVID-19.

According to the revised NIH treatment guidelines, oral antiviral medications should be administered as soon as possible after a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, but no later than 5 days after symptom onset (for oral antivirals). Oral antiviral therapy have been authorized for emergency use by the FDA to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in persons who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. 

Risk factors that may place persons at high risk for severe illness due to COVID-19 are: 

  • Age over 50 years
  • Being unvaccinated or not being up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines
  • Obesity or being overweight, with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater
  • Pregnancy
  • Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or a condition that weakens the immune system 
  • Heart disease, high blood pressure, or lung disease
  • Race, ethnicity, and other factors that may place persons at high risk for severe COVID-19.

When determining who meets the EUA for outpatient treatment for mild and moderate COVID-19, please refer to the Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19: Information for Healthcare Professionals and to the Types of Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases.

Where are Oral Antivirals available?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a therapeutics locator that identifies pharmacies that may carry Paxlovid or molnupiravir. These medications must be prescribed by an appropriate healthcare provider. In addition, Paxlovid can be prescribed and dispensed at some of the Monoclonal Antibody Regional Centers (MARCs) in San Diego County.

OptumServe Test to Treat sites offer no cost, confidential testing and treatment. Oral antiviral treatment is available to individuals who qualify, including those without insurance. Please call 1-888-634-1123 to schedule an appointment at an OptumServe site for testing and treatment with Paxlovid, if eligible. You may also call SesameCare at 1-888-897-1244 to schedule a no-cost telehealth visit, which includes a prescription for treatment with Paxlovid for those who are eligible. 

To request a supply of oral antivirals to administer to patients, please email moc.logs.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov and CC mhoac.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov for further information.

Where is Evusheld available?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a therapeutics locator, intended for provider use, that identifies facilities which have been allocated Evusheld. Evusheld is a monoclonal antibody that received EUA by the FDA for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in individuals with moderate to severe immune compromise, or who have a history of severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine.

To request a supply of Evusheld to administer to patients, please email moc.logs.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov and CC mhoac.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov for further information

Remdesivir

Remdesivir is for outpatient treatment of COVID-19 in adults and children greater than 28 days old and weighing more than 3 kg who are at high risk for progressing to severe disease. Remdesivir should be started within 7 days of symptoms onset and is administered intravenously once daily for three days. You can read more in the Remdesivir fact sheet (Spanish) and Frequently Asked Questions on the EUA of Remdesivir.

Where?

  • Family Health Centers of San Diego
    • Treatment site in Hillcrest open Tuesday through Friday

Additional Resources