There is no cure for COVID-19 but several medicines have been developed that are proving to be effective treatments for people with the illness. The following medications are not meant to be used as a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19.

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What are COVID-19 treatments?

COVID-19 treatments help stop someone from becoming very sick with COVID-19. Not everyone diagnosed with COVID-19 will need these treatments. They are of most benefit to people who are at the most risk of severe disease or people who are in hospital with severe disease.

Some COVID-19 treatments can be prescribed by your doctor and taken at home. Other treatments can only be administered to patients who are in hospital.

For more information about COVID-19 treatments, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care.

The Therapeutic Goods Association also maintains a list of COVID-19 treatments that have been approved for use in Australia.

What oral COVID-19 antiviral medicines can people take at home?

People with COVID-19 who don’t need oxygen and are not in hospital may be eligible for either Lagevrio or Paxlovid if they meet certain criteria. Lagevrio and Paxlovid are oral COVID-19 antiviral medicines (taken by mouth) that help to stop the COVID-19 infection from becoming severe and making you very sick.

Lagevrio and Paxlovid can be prescribed by your doctor or nurse practitioner. You need to start taking these medicines as soon as possible after symptoms of COVID-19 begin for them to be effective. It is best to start taking them within 5 days after your symptoms start or testing positive to COVID-19.

Learn about the side effects of Lagevrio and Paxlovid by downloading the consumer medicine information leaflets.

How much do oral COVID-19 antiviral medicines cost?

Lagevrio and Paxlovid are listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means these medications are subsidised, and more affordable for people with a Medicare card.

The maximum cost for a pharmaceutical benefit item under the PBS at a pharmacy is:

• $31.60 for general patients
• $7.70 for concession card holders

Who can have oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine?

If you are 18 years and older and test positive to COVID-19, you may be eligible for an oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine if you:

• have previously been hospitalized from COVID-19, or
• are at higher risk of becoming very sick

You may also be eligible if you test positive for COVID-19 and you are:

• 70 years of age or older, regardless of risk factors and with or without symptoms
• 50 years of age or older with 2 additional risk factors for developing severe disease
• First Nations people, 30 years of age or older and with one additional risk factor for developing severe disease

Some antiviral COVID-19 treatments are only available in hospital to certain patients at severe risk from COVID-19. However, the oral antiviral treatments Paxlovid and Lagevrio are available outside of hospital under certain conditions.

How do I get oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine?

If you test positive to COVID-19 using either a PCR test or rapid antigen test (RAT), book a telehealth appointment with your doctor. They will advise whether you can have an oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine.

If your doctor recommends that you take an oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine, you will need a prescription.

If you are 70 years or older or at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, it is important to speak to your GP about oral treatments before you get sick. You should then contact them for a script as soon as you test positive.

If you cannot get an appointment with your doctor quickly, use the healthdirect Service Finder to search for a doctor.

Can I access oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine if I do not have a Medicare card?

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and have high risk factors for severe illness, but do not have a Medicare card, you should contact your doctor for advice about treatment options.

People without a Medicare card may include those who are:

• not an Australian permanent resident
• not entitled to hold a valid Medicare card
• temporary entrants or temporary visa holders
• are from a country without a reciprocal healthcare arrangement with Australia
• visitors in Australia from overseas or an international student

If you do not have a Medicare card, the cost for treatment will vary depending on your circumstances. Please talk to your doctor about payment options.

If you are not a permanent resident, but you do have private health insurance or travel insurance, refer to your insurance policy in relation to COVID-19 treatment costs in Australia.

Who shouldn't have oral COVID-19 antiviral medicine?

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not have oral COVID-19 medicine. Instead, make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.

These medicines can also affect how birth control works.

Talk to your healthcare provider about contraception and if you are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you have severe kidney or liver disease, you should not have Paxlovid COVID-19 treatment. Talk to your doctor about alternative oral treatments.

Paxlovid must not be taken with several other commonly used medicines. The full list of medicines that must not be taken with Paxlovid are in the product information.

Doctors will need to carefully review an eligible person’s current medications and medical conditions to see if it is safe for them to take oral COVID-19 medicine.

What are the possible side effects of taking oral antivirals?

Some common side effects include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, high blood pressure, sore muscles, changes in taste and generally feeling unwell. These should go away after the course finishes.

Some side effects may need urgent medical attention. More serious side effects include signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or lips, peeling of skin, blisters, sore throat or mouth and difficulty breathing. It is important that you call an ambulance immediately if you experience these symptoms.

Speak to your regular doctor if you experience any side effects that worry you, or that are not listed here.

For more information on possible side effects of oral antivirals, download the Consumer Medicine Information sheets for Paxlovid or Lagevrio.

What is ‘viral rebound’ and how is it connected to oral antivirals?

COVID-19 rebound is when a person with COVID-19 who has been treated with an oral antiviral experiences a re-emergence of symptoms and/or rising viral load (after initial decline) after completing treatment. These issues may arise in people who have received Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir) or other COVID-19 treatments options, or who have not received any treatment.

While it’s uncommon, rebound symptoms can occur between 2 and 8 days after the original symptoms stopped or completion of the oral treatment. They are reported to resolve within 3 to 5 days.

If you experience a return of acute symptoms, you should follow the advice for anyone with acute respiratory symptoms, which is that they are recommended to stay home until they are well again. This helps prevent the spread of COVID and other viruses.

Will I need antibiotics for COVID-19?

No, because antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Antibiotics are designed to treat bacterial infections. Unnecessary use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, which is a serious healthcare problem that affects everyone.

Some people may develop secondary bacterial infections due to the COVID-19 virus, such as bacterial pneumonia. In this situation, antibiotics may be needed.