ORAL MEDICINES TO TREAT MILD TO MODERATE COVID-19
Learn about side effects and when to seek medical care for Paxlovid or Molnupiravir.
Paxlovid and Molnupiravir are antiviral medicines that are taken by mouth for 5 days. Antiviral medications reduce the ability of the virus to multiply and spread through the patient's body. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued emergency use authorizations (EUAs*) for these medicines to treat people with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for getting severe COVID-19. Treatment is best given as soon as possible and must begin within 5 days of the start of symptoms.
- Paxlovid is for people ages 12 and over who weigh at least 88 pounds.
- Molnupiravir is for adults ages 18 or over. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy and is only recommended if other treatment medications are not available.
For more information, see the fact sheet for patients/caregivers for Paxlovid and Molnupiravir.
See these FAQs for additional information on COVID-19 rebound after Paxlovid.
WHERE TO GET PAXLOVID AND MOLNUPIRAVIR
These medicines are only available by prescription from healthcare providers, including pharmacists.
- Ask your provider if you are eligible for treatment. If they give you a prescription, click here, enter your address or zip code, and click on the box “Locations to fill a prescription”.
- If you don’t have a doctor or can't get an appointment
with your doctor or pharmacist, you can get testing and evaluation for treatment through either:
- A Test to Treat site – click here, enter your address or zip code, and click on the box “Locations with testing, medical visits, and medication (Test-to-Treat)
- The Public Health Call Center/Tele-Health Service - call 1-833-540-0473 (open 7 days a week, 8:00 am – 8:30 pm).
- If you don’t have health insurance, you can still access medications for COVID-19 by calling the Public Health Call Center/Tele-Health Service at 1-833-540-0473 (open 7 days a week, 8:00 am – 8:30 pm). The Call Center can also answer questions and help with resources.
To help protect others, if you need to leave home to get medical care, wear a well-fitting medical mask or respirator or a well-fitting non-cloth mask with multiple layers of non-woven material and a nose wire. See ph.lacounty.gov/masks for more information. Have someone else who does not have COVID-19 pick up your prescription if possible.
