COVID-19 Treatments and Therapeutics

The federal government is taking steps to protect the country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The scientific and health care communities are working hard to research and study effective ways to manage, reduce, and eradicate the impact of the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

Potential Treatments for COVID-19

COVID-19 treatment options are available for patients with mild to moderate symptoms and for hospitalized patients. Your health care provider will know the best option for you, based on your symptoms and your health history.

It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options before you take medicine. People have been seriously harmed and even died after taking products not approved for COVID-19, even products approved or prescribed for other uses.

Learn the steps to take if you are sick to care for yourself and protect others.

Monoclonal Antibody Treatments

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules that may block the virus that causes COVID-19 from attaching to human cells, thereby making it more difficult for the virus to reproduce and cause harm. These antibodies could help the immune system recognize and respond more effectively to the virus.

Monoclonal antibody treatments are for people who are:

  • experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19
  • at high risk of developing severe disease
  • at risk of being hospitalized

Patients who have a positive COVID-19 test should ask their healthcare provider if they are eligible for monoclonal antibody treatment and where they can go to receive the infusion.  

Understanding Your COVID-19 Treatment Options

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Clinical trials help researchers find better vaccines and medicines for COVID-19. Choosing to join a clinical trial is a personal decision. Talk with your doctor about joining a clinical trial.

Learn how you can participate in a clinical trial to help combat COVID-19.

Hospital Treatments

There are treatments for hospitalized patients with severe cases of COVID-19 that have been approved or authorized for emergency use by the FDA.

  • Remdesivir is an antiviral drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized adults and hospitalized pediatric patients at least 12 years of age. It works by stopping SARS-CoV-2 from spreading in the body.
  • Health care providers and scientists are investigating other drugs and treatments, such as convalescent plasma, that may slow or reduce the virus’ growth and spread in the body, as well as to enhance breathing, provide disease-fighting antibodies, and help with other symptoms.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines is for providers caring for patients with COVID-19.

Ensuring the Safety and Effectiveness of Treatments

After a public health emergency was declared for the COVID-19 pandemic, it was also determined that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could authorize the emergency use of tests, treatments, and vaccines to reduce suffering, loss of life and restore the health and security of our country.

Do you know the difference between FDA approval and authorization?

An approval of a new drug requires substantial scientific evidence of the effectiveness of the product and a demonstration of safety for the drug’s intended use(s). To determine an emergency use authorization (EUA), the FDA evaluates the totality of available scientific evidence and carefully balances any known or potential risks with any known or potential benefits of the product for use during an emergency.

 

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Content created by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)
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